Remepy Launches with $15 Million in Funding To Bring First Hybrid Drug To Market
01 May 2024 - 5:51PM
Business Wire
Merck Global Head of R&D and Chief Medical
Officer Danny Bar Zohar joins Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali
Bennett on Board of Directors
Remepy, a pioneer in “hybrid drugs,” today announced that it has
successfully closed a $10M seed investment round, which together
with earlier funding totals $15M. The round was led by NFX, joined
by Vine Ventures, PsyMed Ventures, Supernode Ventures and Firstime
Ventures, joining previous pre-seed lead investor TechAviv as well
as Fresh.fund, Samsung Next, StageNext Fund and 97212 Ventures.
Remepy’s new hybrid drugs combine traditional drugs with its
“digital molecules.” Digital molecules are therapeutic
interventions that trigger physiological effects (aka MOAs,
Mechanisms of Action) through the brain. These physiological
changes have been known to enhance the effectiveness of traditional
drugs.
The digital molecules are designed for hybrid drug experiences.
They are based on non-invasive cognitive, psychological, and
behavioral interventions that follow principles of sensory
integration, sensory substitution and sensory deprivation. The
interventions trigger multiple unique mechanisms of actions,
including: changes to brain connectivity in important brain areas;
changes to immune system blood biomarkers, and important behavioral
changes.
Remepy has already demonstrated the effects of its digital
molecule interventions in clinical trials using extensive fMRI
imaging, blood and saliva samples analysis and standardized
questionnaires. It is among the first in the world to show that its
patent–pending digital therapies can modulate blood biomarkers.
Many diseases are better treated by combining drugs with
non-pharmacological interventions. Remepy is making such
combinations standardized, accessible and personalized at scale
with the use of its digital molecules.
Remepy is targeting neurodegenerative diseases, cancer,
autoimmune diseases, and degenerative eye diseases. Remepy’s
innovative approach creates a new market for hybrid medications,
and a whole new world of data and IP assets for pharmaceutical
companies.
Dr. Danny Bar Zohar, Merck’s Global head of R&D and Chief
Medical Officer, who shares the company’s vision for hybrid drugs
states: “As a physician and drug developer, it is fascinating for
me to see Remepy’s clinical data, which shows how these unique
non-invasive digital interventions can modulate the immune system,
make significant changes to brain plasticity, and drive behavioral
changes. Remepy’s product has the potential to enhance
immunotherapy for cancer, or improve existing drug therapy for
neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease and MCI
(Mild Cognitive Impairment). These proprietary digital-drug
combinations could significantly improve patient outcomes and
create tangible value for patients and healthcare systems.”
Dr. Michal Tsur, Remepy Co-CEO: “I am thrilled that Dr. Danny
Bar Zohar has joined us as a board member. Many industries have
transformed by adopting a hybrid product approach, integrating new
technology with traditional products.” Co-CEO Or Shoval added: "I
am particularly excited about the prospects of improving
Parkinson’s Disease patients’ lives with a hybrid PD drug that will
better address cognitive, movement, speech, sleeping and
psychological symptoms and has the potential of disease
modification with changes to brain connectivity.”
"Remepy's vision of enhancing drugs with digital companions is
groundbreaking and their clinical proof that such enhancement is
possible is incredibly exciting,” adds Gigi Levy-Weiss, Managing
Partner at NFX “Remepy has an experienced team of entrepreneurs and
world-class scientists that are defining a new category in
pharma."
About Remepy:
Remepy is pioneering Hybrid Drugs: traditional drugs combined
with digital therapeutics that are personalized and enhance the
effect of pharmaceutical treatments. Remepy has already proven in
human studies the effect of its products, using extensive brain
imaging, as well as blood and saliva samples, with promising
results for Oncology, MCI, and Parkinson’s Disease. Their approach
offers an efficient method to create new proprietary pharma assets,
unlocking an entire new market and world of data. The Remepy team
includes top scientists, physicians, and technologists.
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Michal Tsur Press@Remepy.com