Sigrid Therapeutics

Sigrid Therapeutics, a clinical-stage healthtech company founded in 2014, is focused on developing therapies for metabolic diseases and chronic lifestyle conditions. The Stockholm-based company was established by CEO Sana Alajmovic and Professor of Physiology Tore Bengtsson. The venture stems from over a decade of research into metabolic diseases, combining Alajmovic's business development background in life sciences and venture capital with Bengtsson's extensive research in physiology and pharmacology. Alajmovic, who holds a B.Sc. in Business and Economics, was driven to the life sciences by a desire to work for the benefit of humanity, influenced by her father, a doctor. Bengtsson, a professor at Stockholm University, began researching in 2008 how engineered silica could slow digestion and reduce the absorption of carbs and fats. Their partnership merges commercial expertise with deep scientific discovery.

The company's core technology is SiPore®, a patented platform of precisely engineered, micron-sized mesoporous silica particles (MSPs). Administered orally, these particles are not absorbed into the bloodstream but act locally within the gut. They function as a 'molecular sieve,' physically trapping a portion of digestive enzymes, which slows the breakdown of carbohydrates and fats. This mechanism leads to a more gradual release of energy from food, reduces spikes in blood glucose and lipids after meals, and lowers caloric absorption. The technology is rooted in over 15 years of research, validated by multiple clinical trials and scientific publications, and protected by over 10 patents in key markets.

Sigrid Therapeutics' lead product, SiPore21®, is an oral medical device candidate designed for blood sugar control and weight management in individuals with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Clinical trials, such as the large-scale SHINE study, have demonstrated SiPore21®'s ability to significantly lower long-term blood sugar levels (HbA1c), support weight management, and improve overall metabolic health. The company is pursuing regulatory approval for SiPore21® as a Class IIb medical device in Europe and has secured market access in the U.S. as a medical food under the brand name Carb Fence™. The business model is centered on commercializing its SiPore® platform across multiple channels. This includes direct-to-consumer sales of dietary supplements like Glucose Stabiliser, which launched in the U.S. in late 2023, and medical foods for patients under physician care. The company also plans to license its technology for applications in functional foods, veterinary health, and oral care. Having raised approximately $17.5 million in funding, Sigrid is scaling up production through a partnership with Japan's AGC Si-Tech to meet anticipated demand in the multi-billion dollar prediabetes and obesity markets. Keywords: metabolic health, blood sugar control, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, weight management, SiPore, mesoporous silica particles, medical device, non-pharmaceutical, digestive enzymes, carbohydrate absorption, fat absorption, clinical trials, Sana Alajmovic, Tore Bengtsson, healthtech, chronic lifestyle diseases, glucose management, gut health, molecular sieve, dietary supplement, medical food, Carb Fence, Glucose Stabiliser, obesity treatment