Mendus – executive interview

In this interview, Erik Manting, CEO of Mendus, discusses the company’s recently launched programme in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Erik covers the current CML treatment landscape and unmet needs in the space, alongside how lead asset, vididencel, has the potential to address these challenges. We also discuss what next steps for Mendus’s CML programme may look like, should vididencel’s initial Phase Ib study be successful, as well as the potential commercial opportunity in CML, reflecting on the recent announcement that Merck will be acquiring Terns Pharmaceuticals for $6.7bn. The interview also includes a summary of Mendus’ key milestones and catalysts to watch out for throughout 2026 and beyond.

Mendus is a Sweden-based immuno-oncology company specialised in the field of allogeneic dendritic cell biology. Its leading clinical candidate is vididencel, an off-the-shelf cell-based cancer vaccine, which is being evaluated as a potential maintenance treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), CML and ovarian cancer.