MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jun. 12, 2020 — Underdog Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company designing engineered cyclodextrins to address atherosclerosis and other serious diseases of aging, has completed a partnership and technology acquisition agreement with MD.USE Innovative Solutions, SL.
Underdog is built upon the combined power of computational and synthetic chemistry, and the strength of our computational system derives significantly from our long-standing relationship with MD.USE Innovative Solutions, SL, a start-up from Santiago de Compostela University, Spain. Its founders, Drs Ángel Piñeiro and Rebeca Garcia-Fandino, are experienced computational chemists, and the world’s leading specialists in the development of cyclodextrin-specific simulations.
Underdog has worked with MD.USE over two years to build a new software system, Candymer, which can build and parameterize sophisticated molecular dynamics simulations of cyclodextrin-sterol complexes. With it, we can test drug target interactions, off-target impact, and also design entirely new molecules. It’s critical to Underdog both in the testing and optimization of our lead candidates, now, and in the design of potential new therapies tomorrow.
* The suite of technologies includes UndARdog AR: an augmented reality (AR) tool allowing users to visualize the complexation between CDs and sterols in an immersive environment.
About Underdog
Underdog Pharmaceuticals, Inc., uses engineered cyclodextrins to address atherosclerosis and other serious diseases of aging.
The development of arterial plaques, or atherosclerosis, drives many diseases including stroke, COPD, and heart disease. It is by far the #1 killer in the world.
Our robust computational chemistry and synthetic chemistry programs were born in the labs of SENS Research Foundation (SRF), the only non‐profit devoted to reversing age‐related disease by addressing their underlying causes.
Our novel molecules attack the core cause of atherosclerosis; the oxidized cholesterol derivatives that inhibit the cardiovascular self-repair system. We can target these derivatives safely and effectively, without interfering with key enzymatic systems; offering the possibility of a new class of drugs that could reverse, not merely treat, this deadly disease.
Our founders, Matthew O’Connor and Michael Kope, were principals of SRF and advocates of genuine rejuvenation biotechnologies. Advisors include world-renowned biomedical gerontologist Aubrey de Grey, and leading cyclodextrin expert Lajos Szente.
Underdog completed its initial seed round for $4,000,000 in November, 2019.
For Underdog: press@cyclaritytx.com
