We want to give a new lease of life to chronic pain patients all over the world. With the development of VER-01, we have reached our first significant milestone.
VERTANICAL is a globally leading biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development and distribution of innovative therapies for the treatment of chronic pain. Everything we do is guided by a single, clear vision: A world free of chronic pain!
After more than eight years of dedicated research and development, we have developed VER-01 – a unique cannabinoid-based medication for the treatment of chronic pain. This breakthrough marks a key milestone on our journey toward realizing that vision.
Our goal was to develop a pain medication that goes beyond the purely analgesic (pain-relieving) effect of conventional pain treatments by providing significant relief also from symptoms commonly associated with chronic pain, such as sleep disorders and depressive moods.
Building on our success in clinical development, we are pursuing the ambitious mission of establishing VER-01 as the leading therapy for chronic pain by 2030, setting new standards in pain management.
A world free of chronic pain
OUR VISION
Despite the treatments currently available,
millions of patients continue to suffer
from significant pain
Despite the treatments currently available, millions of patients continue to suffer from significant pain
Over a billion people worldwide suffer from chronic pain, often accompanied by sleep disorders and depression. Unlike acute pain, which serves an important protective function, chronic pain has no physiological purpose.
Neuroscientific research has shown that in chronic pain conditions, the brain becomes hypersensitive, transmitting pain signals even in the absence of actual physical stimuli.
Despite the range of treatments currently available – particularly opioids – many patients experience inadequate pain relief, with little to no improvement in related symptoms such as sleep disorders or depressive moods. Moreover, the majority of chronic pain patients endure significant side effects from their prescribed therapies.
As a result, chronic pain remains a persistent daily burden for over 400 million people globally, profoundly impacting their quality of life.
Our mission is to establish VER-01 as the leading therapy for the treatment of chronic pain by 2030
OUR MISSION
Pioneering innovation in the
treatment of chronic pain
Pioneering innovation in the treatment of chronic pain
We believe that research and development are the driving forces behind groundbreaking medical innovation. In order to improve the lives of chronic pain patients worldwide, we invest tens of millions of Euros annually into R&D.
Our efforts are led by a dedicated team of highly experienced professionals who design and oversee our clinical trials, working in close collaboration with an international network of several hundred research and trial centers across Europe and the United States.
In addition, we operate one of the world’s most advanced facilities for the development and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals – fully compliant with the highest GMP standards.
With an extensive development program assessing the efficacy and safety of VER-01 in more than 20 pre-clinical and clinical trials, VERTANICAL is among the leading innovators in chronic pain treatment. We reached an important milestone in July 2024, when we submitted our marketing application for the approval of VER-01 in Germany for the treatment of chronic low back pain.
Our development pipeline
Our development pipeline
Development name
VER-01
Indication
Chronic low back pain
Objective
Evaluation of pharmacokinetics and safety in healthy volunteers
Complete
Phase 1
Development name
VER-01
Indication
Chronic low back pain
Objective
Efficacy, safety and maintenance of efficacy compared to placebo
Complete
Phase 3
Development name
VER-01
Indication
Chronic low back pain
Objective
Tolerability, efficacy and safety compared to opioids
Complete
Phase 3
Development name
VER-01
Indication
Chronic low back pain
Objective
Dose-response relationship
Ongoing
Phase 2
Development name
VER-01
Indication
Chronic low back pain
Objective
Efficacy and safety compared to placebo
Preparation
Phase 3
Development name
VER-01
Indication
Osteoarthritis
Objective
Efficacy, safety and maintenance of efficacy compared to placebo
Planned for 2025
Phase 3
Development name
VER-01
Indication
Peripheral polyneuropathy (PNP)
Objective
Efficacy, safety and maintenance of efficacy compared to placebo
We are working together toward a world free of chronic pain, firmly believing that this vision can only be realized through perseverance and the courage to explore new frontiers. These guiding principles shape not only our approach to recruiting new talent but also define our management team’s approach.
Our clearly defined values are the foundation of everything we do and the key to our success. We firmly believe that small, agile, and high-performing teams of exceptional individuals have the power to transform the treatment of chronic pain for the long term.
We believe in the power of small A‑teams
We are convinced that a small organisation of top-performers can achieve anything.
We embrace persistence
We believe persistence drives achievement. We refuse to accept "no" as an answer.
We continuously improve ourselves
We consistently question ourselves and challenge our views with credible people.
We strive for excellence
We hold ourselves to the highest standards in everything we do.
We uphold full transparency
We speak up and voice our opinions clearly.
We act with integrity
We stay away from anything illegal, dishonest, or immoral.
News
News
18.10.2024
VERTANICAL at the German Pain Congress in Mannheim
18.10.2024
ELEVATE Phase 3 Study: Recruitment Completed
15.07.2024
VERTANICAL Submits Application for Approval of VER-01
Clemens founded FUTRUE Group in 2007 and has served as its CEO ever since. His passion for entrepreneurship emerged at the age of 17 when he launched his first business, a cell phone company. Since then, the serial entrepreneur has founded numerous healthcare companies under the FUTRUE umbrella, several of which have successfully conquered markets and been acquired by pharmaceutical giants such as Novartis, Dermapharm, and Perrigo. By founding VERTANICAL, Clemens is pursuing his vision of a world free of chronic pain.
Prior to founding FUTRUE, Clemens held leadership roles at various companies, including Novartis, where he was responsible for the Strategy and Cardiovascular divisions as a member of the German executive board. Clemens holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University in Business Economics and Business Administration, as well as a medical license and a doctorate in medicine from the Technical University of Munich.
Bastian is the CEO of VERTANICAL, overseeing Clinical, Non-Clinical, and Pharmaceutical Development, including Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance. His primary focus is on strategic development, as well as the coordination of clinical trials and regulatory approval processes. Bastian began his career with the FUTRUE Group in 2014 as a research associate and steadily advanced through different leadership positions. He has served as CEO since 2018.
Bastian has a Master’s degree in Ecotrophology from the Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel.
As Chief Commercial Officer, Sebastian is responsible for Strategy, Sales, Marketing, and Operations. A key focus of his role is building the commercial infrastructure for the launch of VER-01 in Germany as well as on international markets.
Before joining VERTANICAL, Sebastian spent six years as an Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company, specializing in marketing and sales. Prior to that, he gained several years of experience in banking and private equity in Frankfurt and Cologne.
Sebastian studied Business Administration and Finance in Frankfurt, Melbourne, and Cape Town.