STOCKHOLM – July 14, 2025. Umecrine Cognition today announced that the company has raised SEK 24,6 million through a convertible loan with attached share options directed to a consortium of existing long-term shareholders and investors, including Karolinska Development, AB Ility and Ribbskottet AB. The funding will be used for the company’s ongoing clinical Phase 1b/2a study of golexanolone in primary biliary cholangitis.

Umecrine Cognition is developing a new class of drugs for the treatment of disorders associated with chronic neuroinflammation – inflammation in the brain. This disturbs normal nerve signaling and causes debilitating symptoms such as impaired cognition and severe fatigue.

The company is currently conducting the second part of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1b/2a trial in up to 84 evaluable patients at more than 30 clinical sites in Europe. A previous interim analysis in the first part of the study shows that golexanolone was well-tolerated and safe, as only mild adverse events were registered. Further, preliminary results from the analysis indicate that the treatment achieved clinically relevant steady-state drug exposure levels and produced positive outcomes in anxiety and depression scoring (HAD).

“Cognitive symptoms continue to be a largely unaddressed issue in the development of novel treatments for patients who suffer from diseases with neuroinflammatory involvement. Golexanolone is a first-in-class drug candidate that has the potential to deliver a clinically meaningful impact, as indicated by the enthusiasm from clinical researchers and European hepatology key opinion leaders. Based on this capital raise, we advance the ongoing clinical Phase 1b/2a study and move closer toward a new potential therapy for primary biliary patients,” says Dr. Viktor Drvota, CEO of Umecrine Cognition.

The proceeds from the convertible loan will mainly be used to advance patient inclusion and cover operational expenses. The study is expected to be completed during the first half of 2026.

For further information, please contact:
Viktor Drvota, CEO, Umecrine Cognition AB
Phone: +46 73 982 52 02, e-mail: viktor.drvota@umecrine.se

About Umecrine Cognition
Umecrine Cognition AB is developing a completely new class of drugs for the treatment of symptoms in the central nervous system related to chronic neuroinflammation – a devastating brain distortion that can lead to severely impaired cognition and fatigue. Chronic neuroinflammation can occur as a result of a number of underlying conditions, including a range of liver diseases as well as neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease. Results from an internationally acclaimed Phase 2 clinical study indicate that the company's most advanced drug candidate, the GABAA receptor-modulating steroid antagonist golexanolone, normalizes brain signaling and improves cognition and alertness in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. A Phase 2 study is currently ongoing in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. Further, based on intriguing preclinical data, the company is considering pursuing the development of golexanolone in patients with Parkinson’s disease. For more information, visit www.umecrinecognition.com.

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Umecrine Cognition raises SEK 24,6 million for the ongoing clinical Phase 1b/2a study of golexanolone

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