Press information
February 2015
Karessa develops the next generation of
pharmaceutical products in the therapeutic area of
erectile dysfunction
Karessa Pharma AB
Lahällsvägen 48
183 30 Täby
www.karessa.se
info@karessa.se
Telephone
+46 8 768 22 33
Fax
+46 521 27 77 93
Registration no.
556942-1596
40 per cent among men aged 40 years suffer from erectile dysfunction
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a large and growing global health problem. Its prevalence among men aged 40 years is
estimated at around 40 per cent and it then increases in pace with increasing age. Only about 10 percent of men who suffer
from ED receive adequate treatment. Karessa intends to supply this market with new products that have faster and more
reliable effects than today's leading treatments. Our goal is to revolutionise the market for drugs that treat erectile
dysfunction. Through innovation and patented technology, we want to help men to regain their sexual potency – without
the need to plan far in advance.
Today's medicinal products for treating erectile dysfunction are fantastic in many ways. They are safe, effective and have
helped millions of men to regain their sexual self-confidence. What they lack is the possibility of spontaneity when desire
well asserts itself. All of today's big sellers take a relatively long time before they achieve their intended effect. For them to
function fully, planning and a time margin are required – which is of course not always possible when it counts.
Our business concept is to develop and commercialise the next generation of innovative products in the therapeutic area of
erectile dysfunction. We aim to do this by combining our patented drug delivery-film with clinically tested and proven
substances.
We already know that the film works as a delivery system for substances. We also know that the active substances produce
the desired effect. By combining them, we can create a medicinal product with completely unique properties: a drug that
makes it possible to eliminate the need for planning and instead embracing desire and spontaneity.
Today, except in New Zealand, none of the leading substances within erectile dysfunction are approved as over-the-counter
medications, but the authorities in several countries are currently reviewing whether some substances can become nonprescription drugs. Karessa is closely monitoring this development. If substances in this therapeutic area are approved for
OTC Karessa will have a product available in this area too. Such an approval is expected to increase the number of users and
doses considerably, since access to ED medicinal products will then no longer be dependent on a prescription from a
doctor.
Stockholm, February 2015
Torbjörn Kemper
CEO
A unique concept
Benefits for the patient:
• Faster and more reliable effect
• Reduced the need for planning
• No impact from food or drink
Karessa Pharma AB
Lahällsvägen 48
183 30 Täby
www.karessa.se
info@karessa.se
Telephone
+46 8 768 22 33
Benefits for Karessa:
• Shorter time to market
• Lower development costs
• Reduced risk
Fax
+46 521 27 77 93
Registration no.
556942-1596
Business concept
Karessa's business concept is to develop and commercialise innovative products with clear competitive advantages related
to rapid and reliable effect in the therapeutic area of erectile dysfunction.
Great benefit is generated for both patients and the company as a result of combining the company's patented drug
delivery-film with clinically tested and proven substances. For the individual patient, the goal is to offer a drug with faster
and more reliable effect than today's preparations. For Karessa as a company, this combination means a shorter time to
market, lower development costs and significantly reduced risk with regard to clinical studies.
Patented technology
The foundation of Karessa's operations is a patented drug delivery platform in the form of an alignate-based polymer film.
The film, which can be likened to a postage stamp, is applied discreetly to the oral mucosa and through it the drug is then
rapidly delivered out into the bloodstream. The film then dissolves without leaving any residues in the mouth.
From a medical perspective, this provides the possibility of fast, stable and reliable delivery. For the individual patient, the
combination means a faster and more stable effect than today's preparations. Since the drug goes straight out into the
blood, the time to effect is very tangibly reduced, which reduces the need for planning and a time margin. The effect is not
either affect by the contemporaneous consumption of food and drink.
Drugs and other substances that are delivered into the bloodstream via the oral mucosa are taken up considerably faster
(and thus provide a faster effect) than is the case for delivery via tablets or capsules that are swallowed. It also offers a
more reliable and discreet form of delivery than tablets and other delivery systems such as nasal sprays and orally
dissolving tablets.
That the drug is delivered via the mucous membrane in the mouth also avoids contact with the metabolic enzymes in the
lower gastrointestinal tract and the liver, which otherwise reduce or completely eliminate the effect of a significant
proportion of medicinal products that are delivered via oral tablets or capsules.
Since the drug is delivered straight out into the bloodstream, and does not need to pass stomach, the time to uptake is not
either affected by the contemporaneous consumption of food and alcohol or other beverages – which otherwise can make
a large difference.
Combining Karessa's patented
drug delivery platform in the
form of a film with proven, safe
and known substances generates
significant benefits for the
patient.
Karessa Pharma AB
Lahällsvägen 48
183 30 Täby
www.karessa.se
info@karessa.se
Telephone
+46 8 768 22 33
Fax
+46 521 27 77 93
Registration no.
556942-1596
Market
The market for drugs for erectile dysfunction is on the brink of major changes. The patents behind the medicinal products
that dominate the market today (Viagra, Cialis and Levitra) are now successively expiring. This opens the way for new
players who, through generics and innovation, can offer new concepts with improved patient benefits. The market is also
continuing to grow. Its main drivers include an increasingly ageing population, the increased prevalence of underlying
diseases such as diabetes, and an increased awareness of effective treatment methods.
Since Viagra was introduced in 1998, the market for drugs for erectile dysfunction has grown substantially. By 2012, the
global market was valued at SEK 35 billion. As the patents behind today's most frequently used drugs successively expire in
the coming years, the price of today's treatments is expected to gradually decline as they become exposed to price
competition from generics. However, this development may come to be avoided through continued product development
and the addition of value-adding factors. The actual demand measured in number of doses, however, is expected to
continue to rise. The main drivers include a proportionally increasingly older population, increased awareness of the
possibility of effective treatment, less of a social stigma and the increasing prevalence of underlying diseases and public
health problems such as diabetes and obesity. There is much to indicate that, on several large and established markets,
drugs to treat erectile dysfunction will begin to be sold over the counter, which is likely to increase volumes further.
Listing on Nasdaq Stockholm First North
The listing of Karessa on Nasdaq Stockholm First North is a natural part of the Company's aim to create a world-leading
company in the growing market for drugs for erectile dysfunction. The listing is also anticipated to constitute a stamp of
quality in relation to customers and potential partners in cooperation and in the recruitment of staff, as well as contribute
to an increased interest in the Company among new groups of investors, the media and other stakeholders.
Spokespersons
Torbjörn Kemper, CEO – business related questions
torbjorn.kemper@karessa.se
Telephone: +46 8-768 22 33
Erik Nerpin, Chairman of the board – owner related questions
Erik.nerpin@karessa.se
Telephone: +46 8-661 88 47
Karessa Pharma AB
Lahällsvägen 48
183 30 Täby
www.karessa.se
info@karessa.se
Telephone
+46 8 768 22 33
Fax
+46 521 27 77 93
Registration no.
556942-1596
Management
Torbjörn Kemper
CEO, Board member
See Board of Directors.
Karessa Pharma AB
Lahällsvägen 48
183 30 Täby
www.karessa.se
info@karessa.se
Erik Mascher
CTO
Born: 1956
Education: PhD in
biochemistry, Uppsala
University
Other current
engagements: –
Previous directorships: –
Past experience: Senior
Scientist, Section Manager
General Electric Healthcare,
Vice President Process
Development and
Production Resistentia
Pharmaceuticals AB,
Consultant, MAKK
Consulting AB
Shareholding: 0
Option holding: 0
Telephone
+46 8 768 22 33
Hans Richter
CFO on a consultative basis
Born: 1949
Education: MBA, Uppsala
University, BA from
Stockholm University
Other current
engagements: Chairman of
the Board of Magelhusen
AB, Hela Sveriges Assistans
AB, Anti-Snore Sweden AB,
board member of Icehotel
AB, Gällöfsta Utbildning och
Konferens, Professionell
Ägarstyrning AB.
Previous
directorships: Chairman of
IPQ IP Specialists AB, IDEntity AB, Zuera AB, board
member of Vivaldi AB,
COOD Investments AB
Past experience:
Professional board member
and CFO for hire
Shareholding: 0
Option holding: 0
Fax
+46 521 27 77 93
Jan Berglund
Chief Operating Officer
Born: 1961
Education: Nursing
Care/Science of Care at Mid
Sweden University in
Sundsvall, Bachelor of
Science in Nursing,
Anaesthetist Care from
Uppsala University
Other current
engagements: Previous directorships: Past experience: Country
manager, Cipla Europe NW,
Nordic Commercial Director
at Nestlé Health Care
Science, Deputy Managing
Director Sweden, Director of
Contract Placement
Solutions and Head of
Marketing and Sales at Trial
Form Support, Area
Manager General Medicine
at Novartis, various senior
positions held at
GlaxoSmithKline.
Shareholding: 5,000
Option holding: 55,000
Registration no.
556942-1596
Board of Directors
Erik Nerpin
Chairman
Born: 1961
Education: LL.M,
Uppsala University.
International Banking
Law, Boston
University
Main occupation:
Lawyer
Other current
engagements
include: Chairman of
the Board of
Nicoccino Holding AB,
Cassandra Oil AB,
Kancera AB and WYA
Holding AB. Board
member of Diamyd
Medical AB,
Effnetplattformen AB,
Aqeri Holding AB, AB
Igrene, Blasieholmen
Investment Group AB
and Otirol Art AB
Previous
directorships
include: Chairman of
the Board of Factum
Electronics AB (until
2013)
Shareholding: 20,000
Option holding: 0
Karessa Pharma AB
Lahällsvägen 48
183 30 Täby
www.karessa.se
info@karessa.se
Michael Bracké
Board member
Born: 1963
Education: Harvard
Business School
Alumni Master
Degree Applied Arts
Other current
engagements: CEO
Nicoccino Holding AB
and board member of
MSM Advice AB
Previous
directorships: Board
member of Dicota
Holding AB, board
member of Urbanista
AB and CEO of OSM
Holding AB.
Shareholding: 10,000
Option holding: 0
Telephone
+46 8 768 22 33
Stefan Arver
Board member
Born: 1952
Education: MD, PhD
(Karolinska Institute),
Registered medical
practitioner, specialist
in endocrinology
Other current
engagements:
Director European
Academy of
Andrology accredited
Educational Centre in
Andrology, Fellow and
chief physician,
Section manager
Centre for Andrology
and Sexual Medicine
at Karolinska
University Hospital,
Stockholm. Research
group leader in
Andrology and Sexual
Medicine, Karolinska
Institute. Scientific
adviser, consultant in
the area of men's
gender-specific
diseases. Board
member Vitamin Well
AB, Alabio AB,
Acrosomen AB
Shareholding: 0
Option
holding: 75,000
Scott Boyer
Board member
Born: 1962
Education: PhD,
University of
Colorado, Boulder –
Toxicology. NIH
Fogarty International
Centre Postdoctoral
Fellow – Karolinska
Institute
Other current
engagements:
Director –
Computational
Toxicology, Karolinska
Institute, CEO, Klaria
Pharmaceuticals AB
Previous
directorships: Shareholding: 10,000
Option holding: 0
Fax
+46 521 27 77 93
Torbjörn Kemper
CEO, Board member
Born: 1969
Education: University
of Gothenburg,
School of Business,
Economics and Law
Other current
engagements: Board
member of Nicoccino
Holding AB
Past experience: Sales
Director,
HENKEL Business
Development
Director, MEDA OTC
AB Nordic
Commercial Director,
NESTLÉ HEALTH
SCIENCE Commercial
Director, Novartis
Medical Nutrition
Sales Manager Glaxo
Smith Kline
Previous
directorships: Shareholding: 4,000
Option
holding: 175,000
Registration no.
556942-1596