Drug Development News

Damona Pharmaceuticals advancing drug to fight cognitive decline

The UWMRF and three other partner institutions have licensed patents of therapeutic compounds created by James Cook’s laboratory (chemistry) for cognitive deficits and memory loss due to depression or aging. The startup, Damona Pharmaceuticals, raised $5.5 million in 2022 to develop its lead compound in preparation for FDA trials. Animal studies have demonstrated that the compound specifically targets and activates impaired brain receptors, rapidly improving cognitive symptoms while repairing underlying brain disfunctions.

Pantherics Incorporated takes on skin disorders

The UWMRF has granted a second license to Pantherics Inc. to support the company’s commercial drug development programs for inflammatory diseases related to dermatology and gastrointestinal disorders. Pantherics received a $255,841 grant from the National Institutes of Health to turn its lead antiinflammatory compound into an oral drug. Alexander Arnold (chemistry) and Douglas Stafford founded the company and are its lead inventors for the dermatology work.

Cancer treatment with fewer side effects

In 2020, James Cook co-founded Amlal Pharmaceuticals Inc. with the University of Cincinnati’s Soma Sengupta and Daniel Krummel. The team is working to develop less toxic and more effective therapies for several cancer types, including melanoma, glioblastoma and lung cancer. The researchers have found that combining existing treatments that use radiation and immunotherapy with the team’s lead drug improves results while reducing harmful side effects.