Repurposing the Repurposing Business Model
This article was originally published in Start Up
Executive Summary
Two recent examples of the difficulties of drug repurposing: Bionaut's ability to find new indications was not sufficient to get a foot in pharma's door without novelty to create barriers to entry to deter fast followers. Sention couldn't generate data fast enough on its L-amphetamine in improving cognitive impairment to counter amphetamine's bad image. (Its second program, even armed with pharma-vetted, baggage-less NCEs in-licensed from Merck, emerged too late to save the company.)
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OsteoCorp Inc.
The class of drugs called beta-blockers--long used for heart disease and migraines--also prompts an increase in bone mass. OsteoCorp will repurpose beta blockers to build bone in the treatment of conditions like bone cancer and osteoporosis.
AGI Therapeutics Ltd.
Gastrointestinal specialty pharma AGI Therapeutics has assembled a pipeline of six products, four of which are in Phase II trials. It is concentrating most of its efforts in functional GI disorders--IBS, functional dyspepsia and diarrhea, but its portfolio also includes a controlled-release proton pump inhibitor for a niche of the GERD market. In addition, it has an early-stage program in inflammatory bowel disease.
AGI Therapeutics Ltd.
Gastrointestinal specialty pharma AGI Therapeutics has assembled a pipeline of six products, four of which are in Phase II trials. It is concentrating most of its efforts in functional GI disorders--IBS, functional dyspepsia and diarrhea, but its portfolio also includes a controlled-release proton pump inhibitor for a niche of the GERD market. In addition, it has an early-stage program in inflammatory bowel disease.