LUND, Sweden – 3 February 2025 – Fåhraeus Startup & Growth FSG Fund II (FSG), a prominent Nordic venture capital fund known for championing transformative innovations in life sciences and technology, proudly announces a €3 million (3 MEUR) investment in Finnish biotech pioneer Aplagon Oy. This investment is part of a €7 million (7 MEUR) funding round, with additional contributions from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund and leading Finnish investors, including Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, Innovestor and Gösta Serlachius Fine Arts Foundation.
Aplagon Oy, headquartered in Helsinki, is at the forefront of developing groundbreaking therapies for thrombo-inflammatory diseases. Its flagship product candidate, APAC, represents a paradigm shift in treatment by combining antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and anti-inflammatory properties to address critical unmet medical needs in severe cardiovascular conditions.
Strategic Vision and Partnership
“Aplagon’s APAC therapy has the potential to transform treatment paradigms for thrombo-inflammatory diseases,” said Johanna Asklin, General Partner at FSG Fund II. “Our investment reflects FSG’s commitment to supporting life sciences ventures that deliver meaningful health outcomes globally. Aplagon embodies the innovative spirit we value and aim to elevate.”
The capital infusion will accelerate Aplagon’s clinical development efforts, particularly a Phase 2a study in peripheral arterial occlusive disease and chronic limb-threatening ischemia (PAOD/CLTI). This pivotal trial assesses the safety and efficacy of APAC in addressing PAOD/CLTI, conditions with significant unmet clinical needs.
A Shared Commitment to Innovation
“Partnering with Fåhraeus Startup & Growth is a pivotal moment for Aplagon,” said Aki Prihti, CEO of Aplagon Oy. “Their strategic insight and financial backing will be instrumental as we advance our mission to deliver cutting-edge therapies to patients worldwide.”
This investment reinforces FSG’s dedication to fostering innovation within the Nordic life sciences ecosystem. By backing companies with high growth potential, FSG aims to catalyze advances in healthcare and improve quality of life globally.
About Fåhraeus Startup & Growth (FSG)
Fåhraeus Startup & Growth FSG Fund II (FSG) is a leading Nordic venture capital fund specializing in supporting high-impact startups and growth-stage companies in technology and life sciences. FSG combines strategic investments with deep industry expertise to empower transformative innovations.
About Aplagon Oy
Aplagon is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a first-in-class therapeutic APAC for treating thrombo-inflammatory diseases. The company’s first two lead indications are 1) the prevention of AVF maturation failure, to enable lifesaving haemodialysis treatment in end-stage kidney disease patients, and 2) CLTI, to prevent amputations and other major cardiovascular events in CLTI patients. APAC is based on the pioneering research on mast cell-derived heparin proteoglycans performed by Prof. Riitta Lassila and associates at Wihuri Research Institute in Helsinki, Finland. The company is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland.
