Several small biotechs are heading back to nature, spotting promising drug targets in exotic plants, sea creatures, and venomous animals, even as Big Pharma and venture capital remain skeptical of the approach.

Verona Pharma is in discussions with a number of pharmaceutical companies with regards to a potential licensing deal for its lead drug candidate RPL554. In line with its business strategy, the firm has been seeking a partner to advance the respiratory product following completion of a Phase I/II trial in November.

Despite continuing pharmacological and physiological advances, ongoing public health campaigns, and well established guidelines defining challenging treatment targets, cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills more people globally than any other disease. Nevertheless, the pharmaceutical industry seems divided over whether CVD still holds the prospect of realising a reasonable return on investment. On the one hand, several companies are pulling out of CVD R&D, despite having a rich cardiovascular heritage. For example, Pfizer and Wyeth, currently mid-merger, individually announced a shift in focus away from cardiology towards areas such as oncology and neurology.

In Vivo briefly summarizes the technologies of these recently founded companies: Ardian, CaraMedica, Celerus Diagnostics, GlycoMar, Pelias and Rhythmia Medical.