Vicore Pharma (VICO) Leerink Global Healthcare Conference 2025 summary

Company overview and strategic focus

• Headquartered in Stockholm with a transatlantic presence and a $200M market cap; $100M cash position.

• Main focus is advancing buloxibutid for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), with additional pipeline compounds in development.

• 90% of R&D efforts are dedicated to buloxibutid, targeting a high unmet need in IPF.

Disease landscape and unmet need

• IPF has a poor prognosis (3–5 year survival) and limited treatment options with significant side effects.

• Only about 25% of US IPF patients initiate treatment, with high discontinuation rates due to tolerability issues.

• The commercial opportunity is significant, with current drugs generating over $4.5B in annual sales.

Mechanism of action and scientific rationale

• Buloxibutid activates the AT2 receptor, part of the angiotensin II pathway, promoting tissue repair and fibrosis resolution.

• This approach targets upstream mechanisms, aiming to restore lung function and address alveolar and vascular compartments.

• The AT2 receptor is highly expressed in lung epithelial cells, supporting targeted action and safety.