Biohit Oyj Press Release
8 August 2025 at 10:30 a.m. EEST

Helsingin Sanomat highlights the significance of headache timing – Biohit holds a patent for the prevention of migraine-type headaches in, among other regions, Europe and USA

An article published in Helsingin Sanomat on 6 August 2025, titled "A headache may be a matter of time”, highlighted the relevance of the time of day in diagnosing and treating migraines and other types of headaches. The article explained how certain headaches may occur at specific times of day and how circadian rhythm-related factors, such as hormone secretion, can influence the onset of symptoms.

Biohit Oyj has long been researching the suitability of L-cysteine, the active substance in Acetium® capsules, for the prevention of migraine. L-cysteine is an amino acid that binds carcinogenic acetaldehyde in the human body, converting it into a harmless compound. Acetaldehyde is known to act as a histamine liberator, which may be one of the triggers for migraine attacks.

Biohit has been granted a European patent (EP 2 854 792 B1) covering the use of L-cysteine in the prevention of migraine-type headaches. The patent is in force in 21 European countries. In addition, corresponding patents have been granted in five other countries, including the United States. In a large-scale clinical study, significant benefits were observed among patients whose migraines were linked to external factors such as alcohol, smoking or diet. This suggests that an estimated 300–350 million migraine patients worldwide could potentially benefit from this approach.

Morning headache, i.e. headache experienced upon waking, is a poorly researched headache subtype. Among several hundred Finnish patients, promising results have already been achieved using two Acetium® capsules in the evening. The efficacy in preventing headache episodes has exceeded 80 percent. Biohit has filed a supplementary patent application for this indication. Currently, Acetium® capsules are available to consumers for the protection of an acid-free stomach. Clinical studies aimed at formalising the indications related to headache prevention are ongoing.

Biohit continues its active research and development work to explore the potential of L-cysteine in preventing migraine and other headache types, particularly in cases where acetaldehyde is believed to play a key role in triggering headache episodes.

For further information, please contact:
Jussi Hahtela, CEO, Biohit Oyj
tel. +358 9 773 861
investor.relations@biohit.fi
www.biohit.fi

Biohit in brief

Biohit Oyj is a Finnish biotechnology company that operates internationally. Biohit’s mission is Innovating for Health – we produce innovative products and services to promote research and early diagnosis. Biohit is headquartered in Helsinki and has subsidiaries in Italy and the United Kingdom. Biohit’s series B share (BIOBV) is listed on Nasdaq OMX Helsinki in the Small Cap/Healthcare group. www.biohithealthcare.com