Backed By
Funded Through Competitive Grants & Strategic Investment
Drive Therapeutics is developing D28L001, a dual-mechanism bispecific aptamer designed to treat diseases where angiogenesis and inflammation converge — starting with retinal disorders.
Our nucleic acid aptamer platform combines the target specificity of antibodies with the manufacturing simplicity of small molecules — plus unique advantages neither class can offer.
Two validated aptamer arms — anti-VEGF and anti-IL-8 — linked via optimized PEG chemistry into a single construct engineered for extended ocular half-life.
Predicted human intravitreal half-life in the 12–14 day range (PKPD Translation Report v20) supports quarterly-or-longer dosing intervals — substantially less frequent than current anti-VEGF monotherapies.
The aptamer class has shown a favorable ADA profile in ocular intravitreal use, supported by clinical experience across Macugen, Fovista, and Izervay. Anti-PEG antibody responses are well-characterized in the broader pegylated-therapeutics literature and will be monitored indication-by-indication as dose and route are defined.
Activity can be reversed with complementary oligonucleotides. A unique safety mechanism unavailable to antibodies or small molecules.
Manufactured via solid-phase chemical synthesis — no cell culture, no batch variability. Lower cost, faster supply chain, room-temperature stability.
Architecture is adaptable: new aptamer arms can be rapidly developed against novel targets, enabling efficient pipeline expansion across therapeutic areas.
D28L001 is a PEGylated bispecific aptamer that simultaneously inhibits VEGF-A and IL-8 (CXCL8) — two complementary but distinct drivers of angiogenesis, inflammation, and fibrosis. No other molecule in development combines these two mechanisms in a single construct.
Triple differentiation: (1) Dual mechanism — anti-VEGF + anti-IL-8; (2) Extended duration — predicted 12–14 day human half-life range; (3) Favorable safety outlook — aptamer class has delivered >11,000 patients of clinical experience across Macugen, Fovista, and Izervay using the same 2′-fluoro / 2′-O-methyl chemistry, with a favorable ocular ADA profile and no Fc-mediated effects.
Our team brings decades of experience in aptamer discovery, oligonucleotide CMC, clinical development, and biotech company building.
Co-founder of Regado Biosciences (IPO, acquired by Allergan). MBA, Kenan-Flagler. Raised $50M across three venture financings and advanced an aptamer therapeutic through Phase 2a.
20+ years in nucleic acid engineering. Former Head of Discovery at Vitrisa Therapeutics. Published author and inventor in aptamer technology. PhD, UT Austin (Ellington Lab — inventor of SELEX).
18+ years in life sciences. Former Head of Research Chemistry at Vitrisa. Analytical development lead at Novan. Phase 2→3 advancement at Regado Biosciences. B.Sc. Chemical Engineering, NC State.
We're looking for investment partners and strategic collaborators who share our vision of bringing first-in-class dual-mechanism therapeutics to patients with unmet needs.
Drive Therapeutics, L.L.C. | 7020 Kit Creek Road | Morrisville, NC 27560