Pikralida

What Pikralida does

Pikralida is a Polish biotechnology company founded in 2019 and headquartered in Poznań with an additional R&D laboratory in Warsaw. It operates a hybrid model combining proprietary drug development with contract research organization (CRO) services delivered to pharmaceutical clients. The stated mission is to build and maintain a portfolio of R&D projects intended for future licensing or sale to global pharmaceutical partners for late-stage clinical development and worldwide commercialization. The team comprises 20+ scientists with 35% holding doctoral degrees.

The company's core scientific asset is PKL-021 (Marimastat), a broad-spectrum, subnanomolar matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor that previously reached Phase 3 clinical trials in oncology and is now being repositioned for new indications with shorter, safer dosing regimens. Lead programs include EpiFix (prevention of post-traumatic and post-stroke epilepsy via MMP-9 modulation, co-developed with the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAN), an oral tablet for snakebite envenoming targeting low-resource regions, an ALS therapy program, and TRX-06/TRX-12 fast-to-market priorities. Supporting proprietary capabilities include hot-melt extrusion for amorphous solid dispersions, fixed-dose combination drug development, and dual-mechanism analgesics, exercised through projects CARDIO (hypertension), HEART (coronary artery disease), DIAMO (diabetes), PAIN (geriatric analgesia), and a diabetic retinopathy program.

Commercially, Pikralida generates revenue through two streams: (1) CRO services covering chemical synthesis, pharmaceutical formulation development, and analytical method validation sold on a project basis to pharmaceutical companies, and (2) future out-licensing or asset sales of pipeline compounds after proof-of-concept. Operations are heavily supplemented by non-dilutive public funding from Polish (NCBR, PARP, FENG) and EU sources. A PLN 12.5 million (approximately €2.8 million) investment round closed in November 2025 to fund clinical trials for PKL-021-based neuroprotective and venom-related therapies, with a stated market-launch target of 2027/2028.

Name

Pikralida

Legal name

Pikralida Spółka z Ograniczoną Odpowiedzialnością

Website

https://pikralida.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pikralida is a Polish biotech company repositioning the MMP inhibitor PKL-021 (Marimastat) for neuroprotection, epilepsy prevention, and snakebite envenoming, while generating revenue through CRO services for pharmaceutical clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biotechnology R&D and Contract Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Therapeutic-Area CROs (e.g., oncology/rare disease) (HLAGAAAL)

Keywords

• Contract research services
• Small-molecule therapeutics
• Neuroprotective therapies
• Pharmaceutical formulation development
• Drug repositioning

Headquarters

HQ city

Poznan

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. CRO (Contract Research Organization) Services: Pikralida provides professional CRO services to pharmaceutical companies, supporting both therapy advancement and industry innovation. Services include chemical synthesis, formulation development, and pharmaceutical analysis. This represents a revenue-generating operational arm of the hybrid company.
2. Drug Development Licensing and Sale: The company's mission is to build and maintain an attractive portfolio of R&D projects with the goal of future licensing or sale to pharmaceutical companies for further development and global market introduction. The flagship project PKL-021 and other pipeline compounds are intended for out-licensing or sale to a global pharmaceutical partner after proof-of-concept.
3. Investment/Grant Funding: Secured PLN 12.5 million (~€2.8 million) in a new investment round to fund clinical trials for neuroprotective and venom-related therapies. The company also leverages significant public funding from EU and Polish national sources (NCBR, PARP, FENG, WRPO).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pikralida is a hybrid biotechnology company that combines proprietary drug research and development with Contract Research Organization (CRO) services. Its flagship asset is PKL-021 (Marimastat), a broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor being repositioned for neuroprotection, snakebite envenoming, ALS, and other indications. The CRO arm provides chemical synthesis, pharmaceutical formulation development, and analytical services to pharmaceutical clients, while internal R&D projects target post-stroke epilepsy, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pain, and ophthalmology.

Product overview

Pikralida is a hybrid biotech company combining proprietary drug R&D with Contract Research Organization (CRO) services for pharmaceutical companies. The core product portfolio centers on PKL-021 (Marimastat), a broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor being developed for neuroprotection (stroke, epilepsy), snakebite envenoming, and other indications. Key projects include EpiFix for post-traumatic/post-stroke epilepsy, the ALS project, and priority fast-to-market programs TRX-06 and TRX-12. The CRO services arm provides chemical synthesis, pharmaceutical formulation development, and analytical services. Additional R&D projects cover cardiovascular (CARDIO, HEART), diabetes (DIAMO), pain management (PAIN), and diabetic retinopathy, all developed in collaboration with academic institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PKL-021 (Marimastat) Broad-spectrum subnanomolar matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor and Pikralida's flagship drug candidate, previously reaching Phase 3 clinical trials for cancer and being repositioned for neuroprotection and snakebite envenoming treatments.
• EpiFix Project Neuroprotective therapy project using PKL-021 (MMP-9 inhibitor) to prevent post-traumatic and post-stroke epilepsy by blocking epileptogenesis, in preclinical and early clinical development.
• ALS Therapy Program Research program developing innovative therapy for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis using matrix metalloproteinase inhibition and molecular modeling of active site interactions.
• Snakebite Envenoming Oral Treatment Pre-hospital oral tablet therapy for rapid management of snakebite envenoming, designed as an accessible alternative to traditional antivenoms in regions with limited medical care.
• TRX-06 and TRX-12 Fast-to-Market Projects Priority fast-to-market pipeline assets based on the PKL-021 MMP inhibitor platform, focused on accelerated clinical proof-of-concept and earlier revenue generation.
• CARDIO Triple-Combination Antihypertensive Project Innovative triple-combination drug formulation for hypertension therapy with concurrent anti-atherosclerotic prevention, developed with Poznań University of Medical Sciences.
• HEART Combined Oral Coronary Artery Disease Drug Innovative oral fixed-dose combination drug for stable coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease, combining two active substances for anti-thrombotic prevention of ischemic complications.
• DIAMO Diabetes Amorphous Formulation Project Innovative amorphous formulation of an anti-diabetic drug using hot-melt extrusion technology for optimal pharmacotherapy efficacy, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
• PAIN Geriatric Analgesic Project Innovative dual-action oral analgesic formulation combining substances with different mechanisms of action, optimized for once-daily dosing in geriatric populations.
• Diabetic Retinopathy Eye Drop Project Preclinical project developing an innovative therapy for diabetic retinopathy using a modern eye drop formulation, funded under the SMART 2 competition.
• Chemical Synthesis CRO Services Contract synthesis of structurally complex organic compounds, alternative synthesis pathway development, process optimization, and technology transfer to production facilities for pharmaceutical clients.
• Pharmaceutical Formulation Development CRO Services Comprehensive R&D services including pre-formulation research, formulation development, technology optimization, scale-up, technology transfer to production facilities, and production process supervision for pharmaceutical clients.
• Pharmaceutical Analysis CRO Services Physical and chemical characterization of chemical substances and development and validation of analytical methods for quality control of active substances and medicinal products for pharmaceutical clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Post-stroke and post-traumatic epilepsy affects 2.3 million traumatic brain injuries and 1.9 million strokes annually in Europe and the US
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Polpharma (Zakłady Farmaceutyczne Polpharma SA)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 10 October 2023Polpharma was selected as the contractor for a key stage of the EpiFix project – specifically the development of an intravenous formulation of the innovative neuroprotective drug for stroke patients (contract value: €236,325 / ~PLN 1.09 million). Polpharma, as Poland's largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, provides GMP manufacturing capabilities.
• PATENTEA Patent Office (Kancelaria Patentowa PATENTEA Elwira Ambroziak)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 10 October 2023Awarded contract for intellectual property protection advisory services including development of IP protection strategy, patent searches, and preparation of patent applications for the EpiFix project. Contract value: PLN 35,000 net.
• GCP-Service International s.r.o.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 17 August 2023Selected for clinical trial monitoring for the early-phase clinical trial of PKL-021 in healthy volunteers (procedure 71/2023). Contract value: PLN 79,335 net. Provides GCP-compliant clinical trial monitoring services.
• Clinmark sp. z o.o.coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 17 August 2023Selected for site and bioanalytical laboratory auditing for the PKL-021 clinical trial under GCP and GCLP standards (procedure 71/2023). Contract value: €6,720 net (~PLN 30,026 net).
• Jagiellonian Centre for Innovation (Jagiellońskie Centrum Innowacji)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 August 2023Selected for analytical services in procedure 69/2023, providing NMR and other analytical services for R&D projects.
• Łukasiewicz-Industrial Chemistry Research Institute (Łukasiewicz-Instytut Chemii Przemysłowej im. prof. I. Mościckiego)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2023Engaged for synthesis services across multiple procedure lots (procedures 70/2023 and others) as part of ongoing R&D projects. Represents a vendor partnership for chemical synthesis services.
• University of Warsaw (Uniwersytet Warszawski)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2023Selected for analytical services as part of procedure 69/2023 and 75/2023. Collaboration on NMR measurement services for R&D projects including diabetic retinopathy (SMART 2 project).
• Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań (Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 July 2023Selected for analytical and synthesis services across multiple procedure lots (procedures 69/2023 and 70/2023). Partnership provides access to university laboratory facilities and academic expertise.
• PreClinical Safety (PCS) Consultants LtdminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 27 July 2023Selected for preclinical safety consulting services (procedure 68/2023). Contract value: €140,000 net (~PLN 623,280 net).
• Polycrystalline SPAminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 27 July 2023Selected as manufacturing contractor for PKL-021 substance (procedure 58/2023). Contract value: €45,000 net (~PLN 199,008 net).
• PACTT-Pfizer (Porozumienie Akademickich Centrów Transferu Technologii – Pfizer Polska)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 February 2021Pikralida is an official partner of the Effective Cooperation Academia PACTT-Pfizer educational programme. CEO Stanisław Pikul and Joanna Lipner serve on the Programme Committee. The partnership provides access to networking between academia and industry, and Pikralida conducts workshops on innovative drug development for programme participants.
• Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Instytut Biologii Doświadczalnej im. M. Nenckiego PAN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Collaboration with Prof. Kaczmarek's team at the Neurobiology Laboratory for the EpiFix project (POIR.01.01.01-00-0235/20-00). The project focuses on developing a neuroprotective therapy preventing post-traumatic and post-stroke epilepsy by blocking epileptogenesis through MMP-9 protein modulation. This academic partnership provides access to cutting-edge neuroscience research and in vivo models.
• Poznań University of Medical Sciences (Uniwersytet Medyczny im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2019Long-standing collaboration with Poznań University of Medical Sciences on multiple R&D projects including: (1) TANGO-IV-C/0012/2019 – development of innovative combination drug for hypertension; (2) POIR.04.01.04-00-0063/20-00 – development of innovative combination analgesic drug for geriatric patients; (3) joint consortium for additional formulation projects. The collaboration combines the university's academic research capabilities with Pikralida's pharmaceutical development expertise.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ryvu Therapeutics: Polish clinical-stage oncology biotech with proprietary small-molecule pipeline and academic roots. Comparable as a CEE biotech with multiple pipeline candidates, academic collaborations, and out-licensing-oriented commercialization strategy.
• Selvita: Poland's largest CRO offering drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, and formulation development services, with a growing proprietary pipeline. Closest direct peer to Pikralida given the hybrid CRO + biotech model and shared Polish origin.
• Celon Pharma: Polish integrated pharmaceutical company combining generic drug production with proprietary R&D in oncology, CNS, and metabolic diseases. Comparable in developing clinical-stage drug candidates from a Polish base with strong academic collaborations.
• OncoArendi Therapeutics: Polish clinical-stage biotech developing small-molecule therapies for inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Comparable in size, stage, and CEE origin, pursuing indication-focused pipeline development with grant and equity funding.
• Mabion: Polish biotech developing biosimilars and novel therapeutics with CDMO capabilities. Comparable as a Poland-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company transitioning proprietary R&D into commercial manufacturing.
• Captor Therapeutics: Polish clinical-stage biotech developing targeted protein degradation (TPD) therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Comparable as a Polish pre/early-clinical biotech with academic partnerships and grant-funded pipeline.

Broad incumbents

• Eurofins Scientific: Global laboratory services group offering pharmaceutical testing, analytical method development, and formulation support. Comparable in providing the analytical and formulation CRO services Pikralida offers, but as part of a much broader testing services portfolio.
• Charles River Laboratories: Global CRO providing discovery, safety assessment, and formulation services across all therapeutic areas. Comparable as an incumbent offering CRO services overlapping with Pikralida's chemical synthesis and formulation development offerings, but at vastly larger scale.

Emerging players

• Bicycle Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing bicyclic peptide therapeutics for neurological and oncological indications. Comparable as a clinical-stage small-molecule/peptide biotech pursuing differentiated mechanisms in CNS indications, with similar licensing-oriented commercialization models.
• Marinus Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage CNS-focused biotech developing neurosteroid therapies for epilepsy and rare neurological disorders. Comparable as a small-cap neurology biotech pursuing repurposing/repositioning strategies in epilepsy and seizure-related disorders, with similar clinical-stage profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pikralida

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pikralida