Sea4Pain II

Direct

• Promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship in Biotechnology: Sea4Us is a biotechnology company specializing in the discovery and development of new drugs based on novel marine compounds. Sea4Pain, a first in class novel analgesic, whose purpose is to replace the treatment of chronic pain using opioids with substances extracted from the ocean (reducing the side effects of opioids usage). Sea4Pain targets ion channels found in peripheral pain-sensing neurons outside the brain and spinal cord (as opposed to opioids). By selectively blocking these channels in hyperactive state, pain sensing neurons “in pain”, it prevents the brain from perceiving pain without affecting normal brain function (it acts only on hyperactive neurons and has minimal impact on non-painful ones). 
• Promotion of sustainable development: Sea4Us is a voluntary signatory of the UN Global Compact, a voluntary initiative based on CEO commitments to implement universal sustainability principles and to take steps to support UN Goals, and also of the Transparency Agreement on Animal Research in Portugal. This is an initiative supported by the scientific community in collaboration with the European Animal Research Association (EARA) to promote transparency and openness about the use of animals in biomedical research in our country. 
• Contribution to the maintenance of marine ecosystems and sustainable marine economic activities: Relying heavily on the ocean for its operations, the company has made an effort to integrate environmental protection and ecosystem conservation in its activities. With its own diving team, it actively engages in ecosystem monitoring, management and recording of invasive species, and support to the repopulation of native species.
• Promoting the quality of life of patients with chronic pain: Sea4us aims to provide over 50% pain relief with Sea4Pain, without the severe side effects associated with long-term opioid use (such as drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, constipation and tolerance). While the treatment has potential benefits for the 1.6 billion people worldwide who suffer from chronic pain, the company is initially targeting the chronic post-surgery/post-trauma pain (CPSP) which in Europe represent a population of 9 million people. 

Indirect

• Promoting the economy and scientific and technological development of the Algarve and Portugal: Sea4Us has its laboratory in Sagres, in the Algarve, where biotechnology activities are carried out, mobilizing a network of dozens of active partners to implement projects and disseminate knowledge in this region of Portugal. In this way, it is possible to raise the potential of the country's marine resources and the development of differentiating activities in the blue economy to an international scale, contributing to local economic development.

A Sea4Us - Biotecnologia e Recursos Marinhos, S.A., fundada em 2013, é uma empresa portuguesa de biotecnologia especializada na descoberta e desenvolvimento de fármacos inovadores derivados de compostos marinhos para responder a necessidades clínicas sem tratamento adequado, como a dor crónica ou a dor induzida por quimioterapia, osteoartrite, bexiga hiperativa e doenças infeciosas.

A Sea4Us foi originalmente criada por 7 cofundadores inspirados na enorme biodiversidade marinha do Oceano Atlântico em Sagres, no sul de Portugal e foi neste lugar nasceu a Sede e Estação Marítima da Sea4Us.

Sagres continua a ser o principal local de recolha de amostras marinhas e descobertas de novos compostos bioativos, enquanto o desenvolvimento pré-clínico é realizado em Lisboa, no Laboratório de Fisiologia.

Uma spin-off da NOVA Medical School (Universidade Nova de Lisboa), a Sea4Us combina o seu conhecimento especializado em biologia marinha e eletrofisiologia, para identificar compostos diferenciadores, desenvolvê-los em novos medicamentos e realizar a sua validação e segurança preclínica.

O promotor pretende ser uma empresa biotecnológica de referência a nível mundial na investigação e desenvolvimento de produtos farmacêuticos. A Sea4Us pretende igualmente sistematizar e escalar as atividades e serviços da empresa que promovam a partilha e valorização de conhecimento biotecnológico adquirido, contribuindo para a sustentabilidade científica e económica empresa e para o desenvolvimento da região Algarvia.

A Sea4Us e o Sea4Pain foram reconhecidos pela União Europeia através do “EIC-Accelerator”, um Programa do Conselho Europeu de Inovação (EIC). Este Programa distingue o desenvolvimento deste novo medicamento e o seu impacto na sociedade e qualidade de vida dos doentes, e apoia seu desenvolvimento até aos primeiros ensaios clinicos em humanos (inclusive).