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Sea4Us featured in SÁBADO: Portuguese discoveries with the potential to transform pain treatment

Sea4Us featured in SÁBADO: Portuguese discoveries with the potential to transform pain treatment

Sea4Us was recently featured in SÁBADO magazine, in an edition dedicated to new scientific discoveries that are paving the way for more effective and innovative ways to treat pain.

The article, titled “Novas descobertas para tratar a dor” (translated from protuguese “New discoveries to treat pain), recounts the origin of the research that gave rise to Sea4Us: an unexpected discovery in Sagres, which revealed the analgesic potential of compounds produced by marine organisms.

This discovery has been behind more than a decade of scientific research and technological development, leading to the creation of a new therapeutic approach for chronic pain. Inspired by the sea, Sea4Us’s most advanced program seeks to address an urgent medical need: developing non-opioid, non-addictive alternatives with a differentiated mechanism of action for pain treatment.

This edition also highlights a decisive moment for Sea4Us: preparation for clinical trials in humans, a fundamental milestone on the path to transforming portuguese science, inspired by the ocean, into a therapeutic solution with real impact for patients.

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Clinical Trial Application Approved!

Clinical Trial Application APPROVed

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Green light on S072

Sea4Us’ first-in-class analgesic regulatory and ethical approval back S072’s promising efficacy with preclinical safety.

Clinical site activation took take place on April 30th 2026.

Sagres, Portugal, May 1st, 2026 – Sea4Us is a biotechnology company developing new marine leads for unmet clinical needs, and its lead project is a first in class analgesic for the treatment of chronic and acute pain.

Sea4Us today announces the achievement of a major milestone, with the approval of its clinical trial application (CTA) by regulatory authorities. Sea4Us will soon start First in Humans activities.

Strong preclinical safety and product profile back S072’s promising and superior efficacy when compared to the standards of care (e.g., opioids), are a critical step towards establishment of safety in humans (Phase 1 clinical trials).

Clinical Strategy for S072 starts with post-surgery medical indication, later to be expanded to chronic pain indications.

1st in class non-opiod analgesic

Our drug candidate, S072, is a small-molecule, inspired in a marine molecule and optimized for human health, that targets hyperactive peripheral neurons via selective modulation of key ion channels. This peripheral mechanism allows for potent analgesia without central nervous system side effects, eliminating risks of addiction, sedation, or cognitive impairment.

The drug candidate is intended for up to twice-daily oral dosing and has demonstrated an excellent safety profile during the GLP preclinical tests, with superior efficacy and duration of effect in head-to-head comparisons with the standards of care (e.g., morphine).

Pharmacokinetic studies show high oral bioavailability in preclinical species, elevated plasma exposure, low protein binding, and high hepatic stability in rats, dogs, and humans. Safety pharmacology indicates no significant CYP interactions, off-target effects, or behavioral toxicity. The compound is well tolerated, with a high safety margin. Robust efficacy proof-of-concept data has been generated across six validated animal models of disease, including post-operative pain, osteoarthritic pain, trigeminal neuralgia, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, visceral pain/IBD, and monoarthritic pain.

Three patents have been submitted. Two are granted in the United States, and the third patent entered PCT in 2025 and was published in January 2026.

Clinical Strategy for S072 starts with post-surgery medical indication, later to be expanded to chronic pain indications.

Manufacturing Completed for Clinical Trials

S072 is a novel chemical entity (NCE) that is simple to synthesize chemically and highly stable.

Industrial up-scale is established, with both GLP and GMP certified qualifications and with high purity.

The Drug Substance for Clinical Trials has been manufactured with ongoing ICH-conform stability.

Drug Product is established as simple formulation. Clinical materials have been produced.

What is Chronic Pain, how widespread it is, and its implications are for individuals and society

If someone has persistent or recurring pain for more than three months, they are considered to have chronic pain. Chronic pain is regarded as a condition, rather than just an accompanying symptom. Various factors, including those of a biological, psychological, and social nature, contribute to this type of pain.

An estimated 100 million people in Europe and 1.6 billion worldwide suffer from chronic pain, which has been linked to depression, a higher suicide rate, as well as substance use and misuse. Chronic pain patients have limited quality of life, with a significant toll on an individual’s family and social relationships, and a higher likelihood of leaving the workforce – it costs Europe alone about €500 billion a year with similar numbers in the US.

There are medications available for the treatment of chronic pain, but many are either ineffective for certain types of pain and severity or, in the case of opioid drugs, have significant side effects, including the risk of addiction and dependence. This leaves patients and doctor with limited treatment options, if any, and always at the cost of safety or proper pain management.

More About Sea4Us

Sea4Us was launched in 2013 as a spin-off from NOVA University of Lisbon, with the mission to bring novel marine-inspired compounds to address unmet clinical needs, particularly those with ion channels as therapeutic targets.

Sea4Us’ unique approach combines marine biology and electrophysiology to open new avenues for a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. Sea4Us’ research and use are protected, with some patents already granted.

Sea4Us currently employs 20 people, and since its creation has raised 6.8M€ in private equity and grants.

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Mar4Health

Mar4Health

The Mar4Health project was developed to explore the therapeutic potential of molecules previously optimized by Sea4Us, identifying the most suitable profiles for diseases lacking adequate treatment, with a strong component of abnormal neuronal activity and in which ion channels are potential therapeutic targets.

We started with ten initially selected molecules and, through activity, efficacy, and toxicity testing, selected the most promising candidates. Of these, three were chosen, and proof of concept was established in disease models: chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain, osteoarthritis pain, and epilepsy.

Through this project, we were able to advance three new therapeutic programs. And who better to tell this story than Marília Silva and Eduardo Moura, who led the project?

The Mar4Health project no. 14315 is supported by the Lisbon Regional Programme, Portugal 2030, and the European Union.

European Funds Closer to You.

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Sea4Us at Bio-Europe Round Table

Sea4Us at Bio-Europe's Round Table

We are proud to share that our CEO, Pedro Lima, took part in a roundtable discussion at BIO-Europe Spring 2026, Europe’s largest spring biotech partnering event, bringing together more than 3,700 leaders and innovators across the life sciences industry.

In this forum, Sea4Us contributed to the conversation on the ocean’s potential as a source of truly unconventional chemistries for human health, shaped by millions of years of evolution in extreme environments. It was also an opportunity to showcase our lead program and broader pipeline, highlighting how marine biodiversity can be transformed into innovative therapeutic solutions with global relevance.

The discussion also touched on the position of biotech in Portugal within the international landscape, and on the need for stronger alignment across the ecosystem, investors, and ambition under a shared global vision.

PEdro Lima leads round table at bioEurope Spring2026

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Interview with Barlavento

INterview with Barlavento

💊 Sea4Us has now reached a historic milestone: It has completed pre-clinical safety and efficacy testing of its innovative analgesic S#072, a new non-opioid chemical entity intended for the treatment of severe chronic pain. The studies demonstrated high efficacy, exceptional safety, and an absence of relevant adverse effects, paving the way for the start of human clinical trials in 2026.

From the sea off Sagres, Sea4Us shows how the Algarve contributes to globally impactful medical solutions.

👉 You can read the full Barlavento piece here!

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Sea4Us sets record at Goparity campaing

Sea4Us sets Goparity records with chronic pain drug campaign

🪸 🌍 4000 people from around the world setting the record of the biggest campaign ever on Goparity | Impact finance.

And for what, you may ask? To find an adequate solution for the millions of people who suffer from different subtypes of chronic pain.

This support gives an explicit message, one that pushes the limit of our awareness and commitment.

The crowdfunding campaign for Sea4Us’ marine-derived chronic pain drug, Sea4Pain, has set multiple records on impact finance platform Goparity – raising €1.153.335,14 from 3,963 lenders, reaching 128% of its target, and becoming the largest campaign in the platform’s history with 15 days left to invest.
Portugal Startup News

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BlueBio Alliance takes Sea4us to Japan

BlueBio Alliance takes Sea4us to Japan

At Sea4Us, we are proud to see our work highlighted by BLUEBIO ALLIANCE as one of Portugal’s blue bioeconomy success stories presented at Expo 2025, Osaka, during Japan’s National Ocean Day.

On July 21st, Raquel Gaião Silva, Board Member of BLUEBIO ALLIANCE and Senior Associate at Faber, represented Portugal’s leadership in the blue bioeconomy across two international events: the session “Viewpoints from Nice on International Partnership for a Sustainable Ocean”, organised by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation at the Ocean Dome Pavilion, and the New Ocean Wave Conference, hosted by the Oceano Azul Foundation and Oceanário de Lisboa at the Portugal Pavilion.

Alongside inspiring Portuguese initiatives such as B’ZEOS and IGNAE by Azores Life Science SA, Sea4Us was presented as an example of how marine biotechnology can translate ocean-derived knowledge into meaningful solutions for human health.

Our mission has always been clear: to explore the therapeutic potential of marine resources, particularly compounds inspired by marine sponges found off the Portuguese coast, to develop innovative, non-opioid therapies for chronic pain. These compounds, now fully synthesizable, represent a promising path toward safer pain management strategies, especially in contexts where opioid use is highly restricted or associated with significant clinical and societal challenges.

We thank BLUEBIO ALLIANCE for highlighting Sea4Us among such forward-looking initiatives within the Portuguese #BlueBioeconomy ecosystem. This recognition reinforces the growing role of Portugal as a hub for marine biotechnology, where science, sustainability, and therapeutic innovation can come together to address unmet medical needs.

The ocean holds solutions not only for the planet, but also for people.

Let’s continue building bridges across oceans — for innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration.

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Sea4Us featured on SIC Notícias

Sea4Us featured on SIC Notícias

Sea4Us was recently featured by SIC Notícias for its work in developing a new therapeutic approach for chronic pain, inspired by the unique potential of marine resources.

Based on compounds identified in marine organisms from the Portuguese coast, Sea4Us has been developing a new class of non-opioid analgesics, aiming to address one of today’s major unmet medical needs: the effective and safe treatment of chronic pain.

This recognition reinforces more than a decade of research, innovation, and scientific commitment. Our work begins in the ocean, but its purpose is people — particularly the millions of patients living every day with persistent pain, for whom current therapeutic options remain insufficient or associated with significant adverse effects.

At Sea4Us, we believe that marine biotechnology can transform the future of medicine. The Portuguese sea continues to reveal solutions with remarkable therapeutic potential, and our commitment is to translate this knowledge into innovative, sustainable, and clinically relevant medicines.

We thank SIC Notícias for bringing visibility to this journey and for highlighting the role of Portuguese science in creating new solutions for human health.

From the sea of Sagres to the world, we remain focused on developing safer alternatives for people living with chronic pain.

Watch the video and read the feature here.

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Sea4Us featured in Portugal Startup News: marine biotechnology serving a pain-free future

Sea4Us featured in Portugal Startup News: marine biotechnology serving a pain-free future

Sea4Us was recently featured in Portugal Startup News in an article dedicated to our mission, our marine-inspired drug discovery platform, and the potential of Sea4Pain in the development of new solutions for chronic pain.

Under the title “Sea4Us 101: How their marine-inspired Sea4Pain drug offers hope for chronic pain patients”, the article offers a clear and accessible overview of Sea4Us’ journey: from the marine biodiversity of the Sagres coast, which inspires our research, to the identification of compounds with therapeutic potential capable of modulating ion channels – key targets in several diseases with high unmet medical needs.

The focus on Sea4Pain, our most advanced therapeutic programme, reinforces the importance of continuing to develop non-opioid and non-addictive alternatives for chronic pain, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide and continues to have a profound impact on patients’ quality of life, families, healthcare systems, and society.

More than a story about innovation, this article reflects what has driven Sea4Us from the beginning: transforming knowledge from the ocean into innovative, safe, and clinically relevant medicines. Our approach combines marine biology, neuroscience, electrophysiology, and pharmaceutical development to create new therapeutic solutions with real impact.

We thank Portugal Startup News and Elham P. Mohammadi for their interest, thorough research, and clear communication of complex topics such as marine drug discovery, ion channels, chronic pain, and biotechnology innovation.

From the depths of the ocean to the laboratory – and from the laboratory to patients – we remain committed to building a future with better therapeutic options for people living with chronic pain.

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Sea4Us gets #ONBOARD25

Sea4Us gets on #BOARD25

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🔬🐭 Sea4Us gets on #BOARD25 | European Animal Research Association (EARA).
Today we join the initiative by the European Animal Research Association to encourage open, evidence-based conversations around the role of animal models in scientific research.

At Sea4Us, we believe that responsible, ethical, and transparent research is essential to developing new therapeutic solutions for unmet clinical needs. As part of the #BOARD25 campaign, we talked with our Project Managers and PhD Student and asked them to share their testimonials on the value and relevance of animal experimentation in their projects.

📢 The reflections of our PMs highlight the importance of animal models in translational research, the development of new molecules, and the study of complex conditions such as chronic pain.

This day serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility as scientists: to use animal models with rigor, compassion, and a commitment to scientific progress that benefits both human and animal health.

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