Support Casper Social Impact Fund BV (SCSIF) and Pepper Therapeutics BV
Stichting Overleven met Alvleesklierkanker (SOAK) is committed to helping promising treatments reach patients. Alongside funding preclinical and clinical studies, it is vital to support the route towards market approval and availability. The Support Casper Social Impact Fund BV (SCSIF) has therefore been established to make investments together with third parties.
An important first step is SCSIF's establishment of, and initial investment in, Pepper Therapeutics BV (Pepper) in the second quarter of 2025. SCSIF also expects to establish another company in 2025, focused specifically on oncolytic viruses.
Pepper Therapeutics BV: a new opportunity for phenformin
Pepper is being created in partnership with Amsterdam UMC, Erasmus MC, RARE-NL and SOAK. Its aim is to bring the orphan drug phenformin back to market. Phenformin was widely used to treat diabetes from the 1960s until the 1980s, when it was withdrawn because of side effects. This also removed a potentially effective treatment option for people with pancreatic cancer.
The four founders have jointly developed a plan to reproduce the active substance — an order has already been placed — and begin phase I and II clinical trials from 2026. This new form of immunotherapy is being developed according to the Fair Medicine principle, helping to keep the treatment affordable for every eligible patient.
Financing and cooperation
The founders are financing the project alongside university-affiliated investors, significantly increasing its potential impact. A robust business plan supports both responsible funding and a clear timetable.
We are especially encouraged by this new partnership around Pepper, made possible by your generous donations. Your support enables us to continue developing innovative and accessible treatments for pancreatic cancer.