Our unique, high-value discovery approach is designed to result in a significantly shortened lead-to-man development process. Aiming at diseases of multicausal pathogenesis like diabetes, we reverse order in preclinical research: in-vivo lead candidate identification first, mechanism-of-action elucidation in parallel to pre-clinical and early clinical development.

As a starting point, we use medicinal plants with a known medical benefit in humans. From these, we identify the bioactive principle. We prioritize lead structures which allow for total synthetic access and structural variability to build a robust IP position. In an in-vivo activity driven lead optimization process, we identify clinical candidates and clarify the mode of action by the use of cutting-edge (molecular) pharmacology.

The advantages of our approach are evident: Fast lead-to-man – our substances are selected based upon their in-vivo track record; favorable odds for a novel mode of action – they are not developed from known drug targets; almost limitless opportunities – we can rely on a pool of more than 70,000 target substances.

In brief: The typical small-cap pharmaceutical company places all its bets on a few in-vitro discovered candidates. In these settings, chances are that not even one candidate will make it to the market. Often the lack of in-vivo activity or disadvantageous ADME properties turn out as early on stumbling blocks. 55pharma’s approach is in-vivo bio-activity-driven from the very beginning and therefore fundamentally different: We combine a large portfolio of drug candidates with higher success rates per candidate and novel modes of action.

...and concentrating on the essential

To deliver our value proposition, we position ourselves as the missing link between academic research in countries with an extensive tradition of herbal medicine use and Big Pharma companies: Academic centers normally lack the vision, the capital, and the capabilities to further develop their discoveries; Big Pharma typically – due to their HTS/target driven approach – does not systematically build relationships with such academic institutions that would ensure access to their leads and/or THM-derived innovative therapeutic principles.

In our role as a pioneer in this field, we systematically source attractive medicinal plants from our partners in areas to which we have proprietary access. Taking over from them, we manage the R&D until proof of concept. We conduct the most critical function, the medicinal chemistry, in our lab in the Vienna metropolitan area. In line with our asset-light business set-up, we outsource the pre-clinical and clinical program to contract research partners. However, we always retain full control over the R&D and own all patent rights.