Published: 28 March 2025
Text: Anne-Marie Korseberg Stokke
Photo: Kaja Sivertsen Jensås, Thea Reinfjell
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Cellmover is developing a collection of peptides and nanobodies that enhance the survival of immune cells, enabling them to fight cancer tumors more effectively. The goal is to make immunotherapy accessible for more cancer types and patients. The company was founded in 2015 by Marit Inngjerdingen, now a professor of pharmacology at the University of Oslo, but it has only gained significant momentum in the past few years.
Miriam Aarsund Larsen, who holds a PhD in immunology from the University of Oslo, became Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Cellmover full-time in 2024. She has played a key role in advancing the company.
"I am very grateful for the trust Marit Inngjerdingen has shown me and for the support from the team around us," she says.
Recently, Aarsund Larsen was recognized as one of Norway's 50 leading women in technology by Abelia and the ODA Network. This recognition aims to inspire more women and girls to pursue education and careers in technology.
"This recognition is the result of hard work, collaboration, and a passion for innovation. I am committed to creating a more inclusive tech environment where more women can find their place," she says.
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She emphasizes that transitioning from research to business can seem like a major shift for many researchers.
"I went straight from my PhD to working at Cellmover. For many, starting and running a company might not seem like a real possibility—or it can feel intimidating. We academics are skilled professionals, but there are also many things we know little about, such as the legal aspects of patents, quality assurance, financing, marketing, and so on," she says.
In May 2024, Cellmover moved into the ShareLab incubator at Oslo Science Park. This has provided the company with access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and an active innovation environment.
Cellmover is also a member of The Life Science Cluster, a network working to unlock the potential of Norway's life sciences sector, and WiLD Norway, a professional network dedicated to strengthening women's roles in health and life sciences. These memberships provide access to a wide range of resources and collaborators within the life sciences field.
"We wouldn’t be where we are today without the support we’ve received from the innovation ecosystem in and around Oslo Science Park. Being surrounded by other entrepreneurs, investors, and experts in product development and business strategy allows us to grow faster and advance our technology," says Larsen.
Cellmover has recently secured funding through the Eurostars program in collaboration with the Swedish company Red Glead Discovery. This support enables further development of the company’s lead candidate, CM101, a therapy targeting lung cancer. The partnership combines Cellmover’s innovation in immunotherapy with Red Glead Discovery’s expertise in drug development.
"We see enormous potential in CM101. This funding allows us to take a long-term approach and move forward with ADMET studies and in vivo studies," says Larsen.
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