Oxcia Appoints Dr. Sandra Ekstedt as New Preclinical Director
Dr. Ekstedt brings more than a decade of scientific expertise in respiratory disease research. She has a PhD from Department of Clinical Science Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet. Dr Ekstedt research focus on mechanisms that drive the progression and severity of chronic lung diseases. Her research has contributed to a deeper understanding of inflammation, airway hyper-responsiveness , tissue damage, and disease progression in respiratory disorders. She also contributed to improvements of the pre-clinical models for IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis).
For the past four years, Dr. Ekstedt has served as Senior Scientist at Oxcia, playing a key role, not least in the advancing of the pre-clinical development of Oxcia’s OXC-201. OXC-201 is a novel oral OGG1 inhibitor, developed as a ground-breaking new approach for the treatment of IPF. IPF is a progressive lung disease with dramatically reduced breathing capacity, eventually followed by complete lung failure. OXC-201 blocks the binding between damaged DNA and the enzyme OGG1. This hinders the onset of as well as the ongoing inflammation and fibrosis.
Dr. Ekstedt was instrumental in setting up the newly started collaboration with Associate Professor Jesper Säfholm, Karolinska institutet, Sweden to investigate how OXC-201 can improve IPF biomarkers and influence cough-related mechanisms using state-of-the art lung models. Present treatments for IPF do not improve lung function nor alleviate cough.
"Sandra has been an invaluable member of the Oxcia team, combining scientific excellence with a deep understanding of inflammation as well as our development programs," said Ulrika Bergman Warpman, CEO. "We are delighted to see her take on this leadership role as we finalize the pre-clinical program for OXC-201 and progress our earlier projects including follow up compounds to OXC-201."
Dr. Ekstedt commented: "I am excited to take on the role of Preclinical Director at such an important stage in Oxcia's development. I look forward to working with our talented team and Scientific Advisory Board to reach Oxcia’s overarching goal of “making life less short through clever management of oxidative stress and DNA damage and repair”.
Dr. Sandra Ekstedt to Present Oxcia's Research at ICLAF
Oxcia is also pleased to announce that Dr. Ekstedt will represent “OGG1 inhibitor OXC-201: a new treatment modality for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.” at the International Conference on Lung and Airway Fibrosis (ICLAF) in Sydney, Australia.
The presentation will focus on Oxcia's innovative approach to targeting oxidative stress and inflammation, key drivers of chronic lung diseases and fibrosis. The presentation will be held on Sunday 11th of October 2026.
For more information contact:
Ulrika Warpman Berglund, CEO, Oxcia AB (publ)
Telephone: +46 (0) 73 270 9605
ulrika.warpmanberglund@oxcia.com
Briefly about Oxcia AB
Oxcia’s aim is to improve and extend lives by developing new innovative treatments based on our unique technology platform, O2-DDR. Oxcia AB is a pioneer in oxidative DNA damage and DNA Damage Response (DDR – the processes the body uses to repair the damage that occurs to DNA) with a focus on developing new safe and effective treatments for patients suffering from diseases caused by cancer or inflammation. Oxcia currently has two O2-DDR lead drug candidates, both with the potential to become first-in-class drugs. OXC-101 is in early clinical development as novel cancer therapy. OXC-201 is developed against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and is in the preclinical phase. The portfolio also includes exploratory projects, e.g in psoriasis.
More information about Oxcia is available at www.oxcia.com