From Toxins to Therapies: SU researchers redesign botox
What if one of the world’s most toxic substances could become a safer, more effective treatment for chronic illness, neurological disorders, and beyond? At Stockholm University, researchers Pål Stenmark and Geoffrey Masuyer are proving that it’s possible.
They are now in the final stages of developing a prototype of a next-generation Botox variant. “We’ve created a version that binds better to human receptors and could be longer acting,” explains Geoffrey Masuyer. “That means fewer injections for patients - especially those living with chronic conditions - resulting in better outcomes and quality of life.”
Their project was recently awarded SEK 2.5 million from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and SciLifeLab’s Proof of Concept program to support the development of therapeutic toxins for neuromuscular disorders.
Bridging the Gap Between Lab and Market
Their work has already attracted interest from the pharmaceutical industry. But getting there hasn’t been easy.
“In academia, we’re trained to focus on discovery, not patents or business plans, but none of this will ever reach patients unless we take those steps,” says Stenmark.
The duo credits early support from innovation offices, particularly KI Innovations and Stockholm University's own Innovation Office, for helping them to navigate commercial waters.
“You need help to feel safe in the legal and strategic decisions, timing is crucial, filing patents too early or too late can derail a project,” says Masuyer.
With the help of pitch coaching and business strategy training, they’ve learned to communicate their science differently.
“We still talk about the science, but now we focus on the value proposition - what this innovation could mean for patients and the healthcare system,” says Masuyer.
A Message to Other Researchers
They want other scientists to see themselves as innovators, too.
“Everyone at a university is an inventor, you just need someone to ask the right questions and guide you through the process,” says Stenmark.
He adds that support structures must become more visible and accessible:
“There’s still a big difference in innovation culture between universities like KI, KTH, and SU. At SU, we need to lower the threshold for translational projects,” says Stenmark.
“If we want our research to make a real-world impact, we need to keep building those bridges between academia and industry and Stockholm is a great place to do that,” says Masuyer.
Read more about Pål Stenmark’s research here.
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Last updated: August 18, 2025
Source: The Office for Research, Engagement and Innovation Services