CORDIS

EpiEndo Pharmaceuticals is a drug development company focused on developing novel drugs that target epithelial differentiation and enhance regeneration and barrier function. In contrast to the prevailing anti-inflammatory approach to respiratory drug discovery, EpiEndo has come up with a novel paradigm-changing platform to develop drug candidates that alter (respiratory) epithelial stem cell differentiation and enhance epithelial regeneration of the airway epithelium.

By rational design we have discovered and developed Bronchothelin, is the first-in-class disease-modifying treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a non-antibacterial macrolide with excellent safety and efficacy profile, poised to provide 50% reduction of COPD hospitalisations and preventing COPD-related mortality, without inducing antimicrobial resistance associated with the use of macrolide antibiotics. COPD is a progressive and currently incurable lung and airway disease affecting >250M patients annually, causing >3.17M deaths globally. Current therapies include inhaled bronchodilators or anti-inflammatory corticosteroids that provide symptomatic relief but fail to slow down the progression of the disease or reduce associated mortality.

22M COPD patients are being treated globally and the COPD drug market is predicted to grow from >€13B to >€18B in 2026. Even when capturing a conservative 3.5% market share, Bronchothelin has a blockbuster potential with >€4.9B sales in EU and US combined, predicted 5 yrs after market introduction (2027). Bronchothelin is now ready to enter FIH study. After completing the Ph2 clinical trial, we aim to commercialize through a licensing deal (2023) with a pharma company for further clinical development (Ph3) and sales, generating an estimated €150-€230 million in upfront/milestone payments and additional 8% royalties on sales, being €412M in year 5 after launch.