Epeius Pharma
Published: 24 January 2020
Founded based on the joint research efforts of Prof Oded Rechavi, Shahar Bracha and iii's Dr Lilach Sheiner. FutuRx, Ramot at Tel-Aviv University, and the University of Glasgow have launched a new portfolio company to develop treatments for complex neurological diseases.
FutuRx, Israel’s leading biopharmaceutical incubator, has recently launched a new portfolio company – Epeius Pharma in collaboration with Ramot at Tel-Aviv University and the University of Glasgow.
Founded based on the joint research efforts of Prof Oded Rechavi and Shahar Bracha (Tel Aviv University) and Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology (WCIP) Senior lecturer and Research Fellow Dr Lilach Sheiner, Epeius Pharma develops next generation biological vehicles for delivery of therapeutic proteins into the central nervous system (CNS).
It will focus on development of the novel drug delivery platform and its combination with several therapeutic candidates with an aim to be clinically tested and validated in relevant patient populations. Some of the clinical conditions to be targeted are orphan diseases with no alternative treatment methods available.
Prof Rechavi said: “It’s amazing to see how an idea becomes a reality. We started from a very basic question: can we make-use of Toxoplasma’s unique features so that it would secrete human proteins into neurons? I’m thrilled that the answer was 'yes', and that this concept is now being translated into a drug delivery platform."
Dr Sheiner said: “Toxoplasma naturally crosses the BBB and secrets molecules into neurons in the brain. By taking advantage of these features we can turn Toxoplasma into an efficient currier for molecules needed in the brain to alleviate and reverse the symptoms of harsh neurodegenerative diseases."
Rechavi and Sheiner concluded: “We are delighted to partner with FutuRx to launch Epeius Pharma which will leverage the natural pathways of the brain parasite Toxoplasma gondii to deliver therapeutics into the brain."
First published: 24 January 2020