Giving families more time with their loved ones
Backed by:
Team
Sacha Schermerhorn
CEO / Founder
Laura Remesal, PhD
Founding Scientist
John Macor, PhD
Medicinal Chemistry
Mike Rowley, PhD, FRSC
Medicinal Chemistry
Bill Greenlee, PhD
Medicinal Chemistry
Dario Doller, PhD
Medicinal Chemistry
Eric Parker, PhD
Pharmacology
Ben Buller, PhD
Neuropharmacology
Our team is responsible for:
Drugs our team previously discovered:
3rd
most prescribed drug in USA
Prinivil, featuring lisinopril, ranks as the third most prescribed drug in the U.S., with 82.5 million prescriptions in 2022 (Statista, 2024). Developed by Merck and approved in 1987 for hypertension and heart failure in adults, this ACE inhibitor effectively lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. It also enhances post-heart attack survival and manages diabetic nephropathy. Generic since 2002, Prinivil addresses a $20 billion hypertension market.
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Bill Greenlee, PhD
Acquired for
$11.6B
Nurtec ODT, developed by Biohaven and acquired by Pfizer for $11.6 billion in 2022 (Pfizer’s Biohaven acquisition), is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist. Approved for acute treatment and prevention of episodic migraines in adults, its orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) dissolves quickly for rapid absorption. It often provides relief from migraine symptoms like pain and sensitivity within two hours, offering a versatile solution for migraine sufferers.
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John Macor, PhD
Acquired for
$3.4B
Xiidra, developed by Shire (later acquired by Takeda) and purchased by Novartis for $3.4 billion in 2019 (Novartis-Takeda deal), is a prescription eye drop approved in 2016 for treating signs and symptoms of dry eye disease in adults (FDA approval announcement). Containing lifitegrast, it targets inflammation by inhibiting T-cell activity, offering relief from dryness and discomfort, often within weeks. Novartis sold it to Bausch + Lomb in 2023 for $1.75 billion, reflecting its $487 million 2022 sales and growing dry eye market potential.
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Michelle Arkin, PhD
Acquired for
$5.1B
Zejula, developed by Tesaro and acquired by GSK for $5.1 billion in 2019 (GSK-Tesaro acquisition), is a PARP inhibitor approved in 2017 for maintenance treatment of recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer in adults (FDA approval announcement). It targets DNA repair pathways to delay cancer progression and is also approved for first-line maintenance in platinum-responsive advanced ovarian cancer. With a market potential estimated at $2 billion, Zejula addresses critical needs in oncology, offering a vital treatment option.
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Mike Rowley, PhD, FRSC
Advisory Board
Steve Holtzman
Business Development
Michelle Arkin, PhD
Chemistry
Matt Krisiloff
Operations / Fundraising