About

NewDrug is a privately held start up biotechnology company based in Patras Science Park (Greece) specializing in the design, synthesis and development of novel drugs for Multiple Sclerosis, Hypertension and COVID-19. NewDrug has the technology to produce delivery platforms aiming to regulate the immune system of Multiple Sclerosis patients, thus providing a therapy which eliminates the side effects of current anti-inflammatory drugs. NewDrug has the technology to design and synthesize anti-hypertensive Sartans, now proved to also be effective in the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2. Computation and synthetic chemistry are applied by the company. NewDrug is leading an international network including top experts in chemical biology and immunology. The aim of this research is the eradication of MS disease by selectively removing disease-inducing cells from patients.

Solution & Product

NewDrug ‘s researchers were the first worldwide to design constraint cyclic analogues for important peptide hormones such as Angiotensin II, Gonadotropin Realizing Hormone, Myelin Epitopes, Thrombin Receptor Activating Peptides and develop delivery sugar platforms to direct myelin antigens to dendritic cell regulating the immune system. Backed by more than 25 years of research and technical expertise, NewDrug’s groundbreaking research in organic and peptide synthesis and matrix delivery technology allows cell drug delivery selectivity. NewDrug can produce novel Sartans which is a new generation of antihypertensives. Sartans have been found beneficial in the treatment of Covid-19.

Innovation & Scalability

NewDrug ‘s researchers possess the know-how for vaccine production in Multiple Sclerosis and the production of highly potent Sartans. They are the inventors of granted patents (U.S.A, Europe, Australia) for myelin epitope based vaccines and hypertension. Intellectual Properties are based on proprietary functionalized mannan and other components that are cleared by FDA from previous related work on cancer to be used in humans. NewDrug can achieve block-buster status for a global vaccine drug and Sartans mimetic drugs, in the treatment of hypertension and Covid-19.

Traction & achievements

NewDrug is the continuation of startup companies (PML Canada, ElFar, ElDrug) incorporated by ambitious researchers based on groundbreaking findings in hypertension and multiple sclerosis. The research of the founders of startup company NewDrug was the seed for many awards, grants, and patents. In particular: 1) The research has been awarded by the Academy of Athens and by the Head of State, His Excellency, Mr. Kostis Stefanopoulos for breakthrough findings in innovative Pharmaceutical Products in hypertension. This research peaked out in NewDrug, in collaboration with the Universities of Calgary in Canada, Victoria in Austalia and Patras. 2) The research was awarded by the Ministry of Development (2005) and the Industrial Property Organization (IPO or OBI) with the Third Prize of Inventions for Patent in New Innovative Pharmaceuticals in hypertension research (Sartans). The patent award patent was given by the Minister of Development in the National Contest of Inventions. 3) Award from the Prefecture of Achaia and Achaia Prefect (2007-2009) for contribution to the local Community and for Science in general. 4) Funding award with 3.000.000 Euros for research to develop Multiple Sclerosis vaccines. Pre-clinical research was succesfull and foundamental for the next step which is clinical trials. 5) Prof. Matsoukas, the founder of startup companies ElFar/Eldrug/NewDrug, has been invited twice in 2010 to the Greek Parliament reporting achievements and perspectives.

Team & Why Us

NewDrug has developed potential vaccines (code: MMECM) in the immunotherapy of MS discovered in our laboratories. MMECM is one of a new family of antigen-specific immunotherapeutics that selectively targets immune cells that are responsible for triggering myelin destruction in MS. It consists of one of the myelin peptide epitopes recognized by the autoreactive T lymphocytes. MMECMs represent a new class of immunoregulators that directly and selectively target a population of immune cells that are implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of disease. MMECM has groundbreaking objectives to provide the first line treatment that will selectively tolerize or inactivate disease-inducing cells in patients and also to prevent progression of disease by stopping diversification of the autoimmune response to additional epitopes. MMECM can achieve block-buster status as a global vaccine drug for efficient treatment of MS. MMECM is easy to manufacture and consists of inexpensive components. MMECM Technology will be protective in PCT patents applications. NewDrug has also developed a new generation of antihypertensives called Sartans which now seems to be protective against SARS-CoV-2 (drug repurposing). Our group was the first worldwide to design and synthesize cyclic angiotensins, the precursors of Sartans developted as well in our laboratories with increased potency.

Funding Needs

A Potential Therapeutic Vaccine Drug in the Immunotherapy of Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Synthesis and Pre-clinical Evaluation of MMECM towards Phase I/II clinical trial. 1) Synthesis of MMECM vaccines. 2) Biological Evaluation of MMECM in experimental models (invivo and invitro). 3) Toxicology-Preparation of NDA file. 4) Phase I Clinical Trial. 5) Personal, consumables, biological evaluations. Total: 1.200.000 Euros Rewarding cap, based on innovation, patents and block buster drug, is expected to be 250.000.000 Euros after Phase I. Funding Needs for antihypetensive Sartans to develop as SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors (drug repurposing). Total: 100.000 Euros