Preclinical-Stage Biotherapeutics

First-in-Class Bispecific Aptamer Targeting VEGF + IL‑8

Drive Therapeutics is developing D28P001, a dual-mechanism aptamer platform designed to treat diseases where angiogenesis and inflammation converge — starting with retinal disorders and expanding into endometriosis.

$20B+ Combined Market
4 Target Indications
Zero Approved PVR Drugs
View Our Pipeline → Partner With Us
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The Opportunity

Millions of Patients Need Better Options

Anti-VEGF therapy transformed retinal medicine — but significant gaps remain. Drive is building the next generation.

The Problem

Current anti-VEGF monotherapies leave too many patients undertreated.

  • A meaningful share of wAMD patients remain incomplete responders to anti-VEGF monotherapy
  • ~50% of DME patients don't fully benefit from anti-VEGF
  • Zero FDA-approved drugs for PVR prevention
  • No non-hormonal biologics for endometriosis
  • Monthly or bimonthly injections create high patient burden

Drive's Solution

A single bispecific molecule that attacks disease on two fronts simultaneously.

  • Dual anti-VEGF + anti-IL-8 mechanism in one molecule
  • Predicted quarterly-or-longer dosing intervals (Q12–24w range)
  • Favorable immunogenicity profile at ocular doses
  • Chemical synthesis — faster, cheaper than biologics
  • Reversible with antidote for unique safety profile
Aptamer Platform

Engineered for Durability, Specificity & Scale

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.

Bispecific Architecture

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.

Extended Duration

Predicted human intravitreal half-life in the 12–17 day range supports quarterly-or-longer dosing intervals — substantially less frequent than current anti-VEGF monotherapies.

Favorable Immunogenicity Profile

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.

Reversible (Antidote)

Activity can be reversed with complementary oligonucleotides. A unique safety mechanism unavailable to antibodies or small molecules.

Chemical Synthesis

Manufactured via solid-phase chemical synthesis — no cell culture, no batch variability. Lower cost, faster supply chain, room-temperature stability.

Modular Platform

Architecture is adaptable: new aptamer arms can be rapidly developed against novel targets, enabling efficient pipeline expansion across therapeutic areas.

Lead Candidate

D28P001: Dual-Target, Long-Acting, First-in-Class

D28P001 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.

Bispecific Dual-Target
Aptamer Construct
PEGylated Increased
Hydrodynamic Radius
12–17 d Predicted Human
IVT Half-Life (range)
11,000+ Patients of Class
Clinical Precedent

Triple differentiation: (1) Dual mechanism — anti-VEGF + anti-IL-8; (2) Extended duration — predicted 12–17 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.

Pipeline

Multi-Indication Development Strategy

Four high-value indications selected through rigorous scoring across biological rationale, market opportunity, unmet need, competitive position, and R&D synergy.

Indication Discovery Lead Opt. Preclinical IND-Enabling Phase 1
RD with PVR VEGF + IL-8 → Anti-fibrotic Orphan / No Approved Rx
D28P001 — Preclinical
Endometriosis VEGF + IL-8 → Anti-angiogenic/inflammatory Non-Hormonal Biologic
D28P001 — Phase 0
nAMD VEGF + IL-8 → Dual anti-angiogenic First-in-Class Bispecific
D28P001 — Lead Optimization
DME VEGF + IL-8 → Anti-VEGF incomplete responders First-in-Class Bispecific
D28P001 — Lead Optimization
Market Opportunity: RD/PVR ($150–300M, greenfield), Endometriosis ($1.8–2.9B, competitive whitespace), nAMD ($7.5–8.5B), DME ($4.5–5.0B). Combined addressable market exceeds $20 billion.
Leadership

Built by Drug Developers

Our team brings decades of experience in aptamer discovery, oligonucleotide CMC, clinical development, and biotech company building.

DG

Doug Gooding

Chief Executive Officer

Co-founder of Regado Biosciences (IPO, acquired by Allergan). MBA, Kenan-Flagler. Led $50M+ in venture financings and advanced aptamer therapeutic through Phase 2a.

ML

Matt Levy, PhD

Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer

20+ years in nucleic acid engineering. Former Head of Discovery at Vitrisa Therapeutics. 50+ peer-reviewed publications, 7 issued patents. PhD, UT Austin (Ellington Lab — inventor of SELEX).

RQ

Ryan Quick

Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer

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.

Backed By

Funded Through Competitive Grants & Strategic Investment

Let's Connect

Seeking $7–10M to Advance D28P001 Through IND-Enabling Studies

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.

Email Us → LinkedIn

Drive Therapeutics, L.L.C.  |  2 Davis Drive  |  Research Triangle Park, NC 27709