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Serendo Therapeutics AB Wins the 2026 AbbVie Scandinavia Golden Ticket
Press release | Helsingborg, 24 April 2026
Serendo Therapeutics AB, a biotechnology company developing innovative therapies for autoimmune diseases, today announced that it has been selected as the 2026 winner of the prestigious AbbVie Scandinavia Golden Ticket in collaboration with Karolinska Institutet Innovation.
The Golden Ticket Award recognizes promising early-stage biotech companies with strong scientific foundations, high innovation potential and the ambition to deliver transformative new therapies to patients. Through the award, selected companies gain access to scientific, strategic and business development support from leading academic and industry partners throughout a whole year.
AbbVie launched the Golden Ticket program in the United States in 2018. Since then, the initiative has expanded internationally and has been established in leading life science innovation environments including Heidelberg, London, Boston, Cambridge, Chicago, San Francisco/Silicon Valley, Lund, and now Stockholm, in collaboration with local innovation hubs.
For SerendoTx, the award represents an important milestone in the company’s development and provides valuable support as it advances its research programs toward future clinical development.
“We are honored to receive this recognition,” says Ulrika Norin, Founder and CEO of SerendoTx. “This award validates our scientific approach and the potential of our platform to address significant unmet needs in autoimmune diseases, and ultimately to reduce the disease burden for patients living with these conditions. Partnering with leading institutions and industry experts will accelerate our efforts to advance novel therapeutic candidates toward the clinic.”
SerendoTx is developing a differentiated therapeutic approach targeting previously unexplored mechanisms of action in immune modulation. The company’s pipeline is focused on selective, disease-modifying treatments designed to provide a more effective treatment alternative while minimizing systemic immunosuppression — a major challenge in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune diseases affect millions of people worldwide and are often chronic, complex and difficult to treat. While existing therapies have improved outcomes for many patients, there remains a significant need for treatments that are more targeted, durable and better tolerated. Serendo’s work aims to contribute to this next generation of therapies by addressing underlying disease mechanisms in a more precise way.
Through the Golden Ticket program, Serendo will benefit from:
- Access to office and lab space at the KI science park
- Mentorship and business coaching from Karolinska Institutet Innovation
- Support from AbbVie’s international researchers, ventures and mentors
- Access to both institutions’ extended networks
“We are incredibly inspired by all the high-quality applications for our Golden Ticket initiative,” says Matthew Iles, CEO of AbbVie Scandinavia. “We look forward to a year of close collaboration with SerendoTx, who we have chosen with great care as we believe they have a unique and promising solution that can create value for even more people living with autoimmune diseases in the future.”
The collaboration is expected to accelerate SerendoTx’s research programs, strengthen its strategic development and support the company’s continued growth within the European biotech ecosystem. By combining SerendoTx’s innovative scientific platform with the expertise, infrastructure and networks of AbbVie and Karolinska Institutet Innovation, the award provides a strong foundation for the company’s next phase of development.
“We are very proud that AbbVie chose us as a partner for their Golden Ticket and welcome SerendoTx to Karolinska Institutet Innovation to contribute our expertise, network and infrastructure to develop their technologies and business strategies over the coming year,” says Johan Weigelt, CEO of Karolinska Institutet Innovation.
The 2026 AbbVie Scandinavia Golden Ticket Award further highlights the strength of the Nordic life science ecosystem and the importance of collaboration between early-stage biotech companies, academia and global industry leaders in advancing new therapeutic solutions.
About Serendo Therapeutics
SerendoTx is a Swedish biotechnology company developing new treatments for autoimmune diseases. The company focuses on innovative drugs with novel mechanisms of action that target the underlying drivers of autoimmune disease, with the goal of delivering more effective therapies with less risk of serious safety issues associated with standard of care immunosuppressants. By combining a strong scientific foundation with translational drug development, SerendoTx aims to build a pipeline of innovative therapies for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and related autoimmune conditions.
About AbbVie
AbbVie is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that develops innovative treatments for severe diseases. Its focus areas are immunology, neurology, and oncology. AbbVie is present in 175 countries and has approximately 55,000 employees. In Scandinavia, the company has approximately 330 employees with offices in Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen. In all three Scandinavian countries, AbbVie is high-ranked on the Great Place to Work list of the best workplaces.
Please visit www.abbvie.com, Facebook @AbbVieSverige, and Instagram.
About Karolinska Institutet Innovation
Karolinska Institutet Innovation works to commercialize research results in life sciences by evaluating and verifying projects with commercial potential and supporting business development through incorporation or licensing. Karolinska Institutet Innovation’s system offers education, professional networks, financing, expertise in entrepreneurship and business development, and incubation opportunities for projects and companies in life sciences.
www.karolinskainnovations.ki.se
For further information, please contact
Ulrika Norin, Founder and CEO, Serendo Therapeutics AB
Email: Ulrika.Norin@serendotx.com
Serendo Selected to Pitch at BIO-Europe Spring 2026
March 2026
Serendo Therapeutics has been selected to pitch at BIO-Europe Spring 2026, one of the key international partnering events in the life science industry. The selection highlights Serendo’s growing visibility within biotech and reflects the increasing interest in the company’s approach to developing innovative therapies in autoimmune disease. Participating in BIO-Europe Spring provides Serendo with a valuable opportunity to present its vision, showcase its scientific platform, and engage with potential partners, investors and industry leaders from across Europe and beyond.
Strengthening the Team: Lars Smedegaard Andersen Joins Serendo
February 2026
Serendo Therapeutics is pleased to welcome Lars Smedegaard Andersen to the company. Lars brings extensive experience from the life science sector and adds valuable strategic, commercial and business development expertise as Serendo continues to grow. His addition further strengthens the company’s leadership team at an important stage in its development and supports Serendo’s ambition to build strong partnerships and create long-term value around its scientific platform and pipeline.
Vinnova Grant Supports Serendo’s Next Phase of Growth
November 2025
Serendo Therapeutics has received a grant from the Swedish innovation agency Vinnova through the Innovative Company call. This funding supports the company’s continued development and strengthens the foundation for future growth. The grant represents an important recognition of Serendo’s innovation potential and helps accelerate the company’s efforts to translate its scientific discoveries into therapies with the potential to make a real difference for patients. It also provides further momentum as Serendo continues to build its capabilities and move forward in its development journey.
Serendo Selected to Pitch at Nordic Life Science Days
October 2025
Serendo Therapeutics has been selected to pitch at Nordic Life Science Days, one of the leading life science partnering events in the Nordics. This opportunity gives Serendo a strong platform to present its vision and connect with key stakeholders in the sector. Being selected to pitch at such a recognized event highlights the relevance of Serendo’s scientific and business proposition and creates valuable opportunities for dialogue with potential investors, collaborators and industry partners.
HALRIC Pilot Project Awarded in Collaboration with Technical University of Denmark
September 2025
Serendo Therapeutics has been awarded a HALRIC EU pilot project together with the Technical University of Denmark. The project marks an important step in supporting Serendo’s scientific development through collaboration and innovation. Through this initiative, Serendo gains the opportunity to work in a strong research environment and further advance key parts of its development activities. The award also underlines external confidence in the company’s scientific direction and the relevance of its work in addressing important unmet needs in autoimmune disease.
Hear the Story Behind Serendo in a New Podcast Feature
27 March 2025
Serendo Therapeutics has been featured in a podcast episode sharing more about the company’s background, vision and journey. The episode offers additional insight into the people and ideas behind Serendo and provides listeners with a broader understanding of the company’s scientific focus and entrepreneurial ambition. It is a valuable opportunity to hear more about the thinking behind Serendo and the motivation for building a company dedicated to innovative therapeutic development.
Serendo Therapeutics Launches with a Vision for Innovation
February 2025
Serendo Therapeutics has launched with a clear ambition to advance innovative therapies and build a company rooted in strong science and meaningful impact for patients. The launch marks the beginning of Serendo’s journey and public introduction, establishing the company’s presence and setting out its long-term vision. From the outset, Serendo positions itself around a strong scientific foundation and a commitment to translating research into therapeutic innovation with the potential to address significant unmet medical needs.