In parallel, we are developing treatments for xerostomia (dry mouth), a significant and growing medical need that affects the quality of life of millions of patients worldwide. Our overarching goal is to improve oral health in patients with impaired mucosal protection, regardless of the cause, whether it is cancer therapy, medication, autoimmune disease, or aging.
Medical Need
Chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis is a common and clinically challenging complication of cancer treatment, particularly in high-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation.
The condition often results in:
- Severe pain
- Increased risk of infection
- Nutritional difficulties
- Interrupted or delayed cancer treatments
These consequences affect patient prognosis and place a substantial burden on healthcare systems. Current preventive methods have limited efficacy due to poor adherence, low tolerability, and complicated administration. There is therefore a major unmet medical need, and the global market for CIOM prevention is estimated to exceed USD 1 billion.
Our Treatment Concept
MucoShield is developing a locally applied drug intended for use prior to chemotherapy. The treatment is being formulated in two dosage forms:
- Gel, which is liquid during application and forms a protective layer on the oral mucosa
- Spray, which may enable easier and more even administration
- Both formulations are under development, and forthcoming studies will determine which provides the best clinical performance.
The treatment concept is based on:
- Substances with well-documented clinical use and established safety profiles
- Mechanisms of action supported by preclinical data and available clinical experience, to be further explored in subsequent development steps
- A non-invasive and user-friendly mode of administration designed to facilitate correct use in clinical practice
- Development follows a lean, milestone-driven strategy focused on rapid value generation, efficient resource use, and strong protection of intellectual property and future applications.
Parallel Development in Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)
In addition to CIOM, we are developing treatments targeting xerostomia, a chronic condition that frequently affects patients who:
- Receive radiation therapy to the head and neck region
- Use medications that reduce saliva production
- Live with autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome
- Are elderly
Xerostomia leads to impaired oral health, increased risk of dental caries, difficulty swallowing, altered taste, and significant reductions in quality of life. There is a strong need for effective, long-acting, and patient-friendly treatment options. Our technology has the potential to meet this need by protecting and stabilizing the oral mucosa.
Advantages of Our Technology
- High patient acceptance and ease of use
- Potential to reduce healthcare needs, hospital admissions, and treatment interruptions
- Low development risk through the use of well-established pharmacological components
- Faster time to market via reformulation and repurposing (part of our 4R strategy)
- Platform technology with potential for multiple future indications, including xerostomia
Competitive Landscape
Existing options for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis (such as oral cryotherapy and earlier biological drugs) are limited by low patient comfort, high cost, and complex administration. MucoShield addresses these challenges through a user-friendly, easily integrated, and cost-effective treatment concept designed for modern cancer care.