UNION therapeutics A/S
UNION therapeutics A/S is a privately held, clinical-stage Danish pharmaceutical company developing orismilast, an oral next-generation PDE4B/D selective inhibitor, for atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis, funded by equity, venture debt, and licensing milestones.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersHellerup, Denmark
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What UNION therapeutics A/S does
UNION therapeutics A/S is a privately held, clinical-stage pharmaceutical development company headquartered in Hellerup, Denmark, focused on advancing oral therapies within immunology. The company pursues a pipeline-in-a-drug strategy around its lead asset orismilast, a next-generation, high-potency PDE4 inhibitor that selectively targets the PDE4B and PDE4D subtypes linked to inflammation. Orismilast demonstrates potent inhibition of Th1, Th2 and Th17 pathways, acting early in the inflammation cascade to deliver broad anti-inflammatory effects at higher potency than previously marketed pan-PDE4 inhibitors while retaining the class's established safety profile.
The company is advancing oral orismilast across four immunologic indications: atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis and ulcerative colitis, supported by FDA Fast Track designations for AD and HS and a cleared U.S. IND. Clinical evidence includes the ADESOS Phase 2b study in AD showing statistically significant IGA 0/1 responses at Week 16, the IASOS Phase 2b study in psoriasis reporting 39.5%-49.0% PASI75 rates, the OSIRIS study in HS where 67% of treatment-completers achieved HiSCR50, and the UCORIS Phase 2a investigator-initiated study in UC reporting complete remission in three patients. UNION previously developed a niclosamide nasal spray for COVID-19 prophylaxis but discontinued the program in June 2023 after the PROTECT-V study failed its primary endpoint.
Commercially, UNION is pre-revenue on a product basis. Historical inflows (DKK 34.4m disclosed revenue in 2022) derive from licensing milestones, notably from the 2021 strategic partnership with Innovent Biologics covering Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The company is funded by founders, management, family offices and private investors, with cumulative equity of approximately DKK 381m raised across 2021-2023, USD 4.0m in licensing milestone payments, a DKK 79.5m venture debt facility with the European Investment Bank, and DKK 45m of convertible debt converted to equity. R&D investment declined from DKK 186.4m in 2022 to DKK 60.8m in 2024 as Phase 2 programs completed, with cash and equivalents standing at DKK 37.6m at year-end 2024. The company is led by Co-CEOs Kim Kjøller and Rasmus Toft-Kehler, CFO Morten Boesen, and CSO Morten Sommer, with Stig Løkke Pedersen as Chair of the Board.
UNION therapeutics A/S firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UNION therapeutics A/S
- Legal name
- UNION therapeutics A/S
- Website
- https://uniontherapeutics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- UNION therapeutics A/S is a privately held, clinical-stage Danish pharmaceutical company developing orismilast, an oral next-generation PDE4B/D selective inhibitor, for atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis, funded by equity, venture debt, and licensing milestones.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UNION therapeutics A/S industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Inflammatory Disease Therapeutics
- NAICS
- Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Immunology & Autoimmune Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Dermatology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAL)
Keywords
Where UNION therapeutics A/S is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hellerup
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
UNION therapeutics A/S business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Pharmaceutical Development: UNION therapeutics is a privately held, clinical-stage pharmaceutical development company. As a pre-commercial biotech, the company does not currently generate product revenue. Revenue historically came from licensing agreements and milestone payments (USD 4.0m in milestone payments from licensing agreements). The company raises capital through equity financing and non-dilutive sources to fund clinical development.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
UNION therapeutics A/S product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UNION therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing orismilast, a next-generation, high-potency selective inhibitor of PDE4B and PDE4D, as an oral treatment for chronic inflammatory diseases including atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis. The company pursues a pipeline-in-a-drug strategy, leveraging orismilast's broad anti-inflammatory activity across multiple immune pathways and indications, and currently funds development through equity financing, EIB venture debt, and milestone payments from a regional licensing partnership.
Product overview
UNION therapeutics is a privately held, clinical-stage pharmaceutical development company advancing novel treatment options within immunology. The company's lead product is orismilast, a next-generation high potency PDE4B/D inhibitor being developed as an oral treatment across multiple inflammatory indications including atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis. The company previously developed niclosamide nasal spray for COVID-19 prophylaxis but discontinued this program after clinical trial results did not meet endpoints. UNION operates with a pipeline-in-a-drug strategy, leveraging orismilast's broad anti-inflammatory properties across multiple disease areas.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Orismilast
Quantifiable outcome
- Phase 2b ADESOS study: IGA 0/1 response at Week 16 achieved statistical significance for all dose arms (20mg: 26.3%, 30mg: 24.3%, 40mg: 30.9% vs placebo 9.5%, all p<0.05)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use UNION therapeutics A/S
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
UNION therapeutics A/S technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
UNION therapeutics A/S partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Innovent BiologicscoreStrategic partnership with Innovent Biologics for the development of orismilast in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. UNION granted rights to Innovent for clinical development and commercialization in these territories, representing a significant licensing agreement that provides milestone payments and potential royalties.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
UNION therapeutics A/S competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Arcutis Biotherapeutics: Arcutis is a clinical/commercial-stage dermatology company with a PDE4 inhibitor (roflumilast cream — Zoryve) approved for psoriasis and in development for atopic dermatitis. Highly comparable PDE4-mechanism focus on inflammatory skin diseases targeting the same indications UNION is pursuing.
- Incyte Corporation: Incyte developed Opzelura (topical ruxolitinib) and has a deep immunology pipeline including JAK inhibitors for AD, vitiligo, and HS. Comparable immunology-focused mid-cap biopharma with overlapping dermatology indications and a similar "oral/skin" commercial strategy.
Broad incumbents
- Amgen (Otezla): Amgen owns Otezla (apremilast) — the leading approved oral PDE4 inhibitor for psoriasis, Behçet's, and indications adjacent to UNION's. As the established oral PDE4 incumbent, it directly competes with orismilast's positioning and represents the principal efficacy/safety benchmark.
- AbbVie (Rinvoq): AbbVie's Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is an oral JAK inhibitor approved across AD, psoriasis, UC, and other immunology indications. Competes with orismilast in every primary indication UNION is pursuing and sets the bar for oral efficacy.
- Sanofi/Regeneron (Dupixent): Dupixent (dupilumab) is the market-leading injectable biologic for AD, HS, asthma, and other Type 2 inflammatory diseases. Sets the efficacy benchmark and dominant commercial standard that oral orismilast must compete against in the same indications.
- Eli Lilly (Olumiant): Lilly's Olumiant (baricitinib) is an oral JAK inhibitor approved for AD and other immunology indications. Direct comparator in atopic dermatitis oral therapy positioning alongside Rinvoq.
- Novartis (Cosentyx): Novartis's Cosentyx (secukinumab) is an IL-17A inhibitor approved for psoriasis, HS, and other immunology indications. Sets the efficacy/safety bar in psoriasis and HS that oral orismilast must differentiate against.
Emerging players
- MoonLake Immunotherapeutics: MoonLake is developing an IL-17 (sonelokimab) nanobody for HS and other dermatology indications. Comparable emerging immunology-focused biotech with a lead asset directly overlapping UNION's HS program.
- AnaptysBio: Clinical-stage immunology company developing IL-36 and IL-17 antagonists for hidradenitis suppurativa and other inflammatory skin conditions. Competes directly in HS and shares the focused-immunology emerging-biotech profile.
Regional players
- Galapagos NV: European (Belgian) clinical-stage biotech developing selective kinase and inflammation-targeted therapies for immunology indications including UC. Comparable European mid-cap biotech with similar size, strategic positioning, and immunology-focused pipeline.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
UNION therapeutics A/S social profiles
Digital presenceUNION therapeutics A/S compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
UNION therapeutics A/S financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UNION therapeutics A/S leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
UNION therapeutics A/S funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UNION therapeutics A/S M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UNION therapeutics A/S
What does UNION therapeutics A/S do?
UNION therapeutics is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing orismilast, a next-generation, high-potency selective inhibitor of PDE4B and PDE4D, as an oral treatment for chronic inflammatory diseases including atopic dermatitis, hidradenitis suppurativa, psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis. The company pursues a pipeline-in-a-drug strategy, leveraging orismilast's broad anti-inflammatory activity across multiple immune pathways and indications, and currently funds development through equity financing, EIB venture debt, and milestone payments from a regional licensing partnership.
Is UNION therapeutics A/S a public or private company?
UNION therapeutics A/S is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was UNION therapeutics A/S founded?
UNION therapeutics A/S was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is UNION therapeutics A/S based?
UNION therapeutics A/S is headquartered in Hellerup, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does UNION therapeutics A/S make money?
One revenue line is on record: pharmaceutical Development.
Who are UNION therapeutics A/S's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Arcutis Biotherapeutics and Incyte Corporation. Broad incumbents are Amgen (Otezla), AbbVie (Rinvoq), Sanofi/Regeneron (Dupixent), Eli Lilly (Olumiant) and Novartis (Cosentyx). Emerging players are MoonLake Immunotherapeutics and AnaptysBio. Galapagos NV is listed as a regional player.
Does UNION therapeutics A/S have an API?
No public API is recorded for UNION therapeutics A/S.
What industry is UNION therapeutics A/S in?
UNION therapeutics A/S's product category is Inflammatory Disease Therapeutics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIACAB, Immunology & Autoimmune Specialty Pharmaceuticals, with a secondary code of HLAIACAL, Dermatology Specialty Pharmaceuticals. Its NAICS code is 5417 and its SIC code is 8731.