Orthogon Therapeutics uses a proprietary drug discovery platform that combines high‑resolution 3D atomic mapping, privileged small‑molecule libraries, and AI‑driven design to create orally administered antivirals against polyomaviruses. The platform targets the VP1 capsid, Large T‑antigen, and virus‑specific host factors, with early candidates aimed at treating BK virus infections in transplant patients and a pipeline extendable to other polyomavirus‑related diseases.
Funding
$5.2M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Transplant patients and other immunosuppressed individuals are at high risk of severe disease from polyomavirus reactivation, yet there are no approved antiviral therapies for BK, JC, or Merkel cell polyomavirus infections.
Solution
Orthogon Therapeutics leverages a proprietary drug discovery platform that combines high‑resolution 3D atomic mapping of drug‑protein interactions, privileged compound libraries, and AI‑driven design to create orally administered antivirals targeting unconventional polyomavirus mechanisms. The platform focuses on three viral targets: the VP1 capsid protein, the Large T‑antigen, and virus‑specific host factors, enabling the development of novel mechanisms of action. Early candidates are being advanced for BK virus infection in kidney transplant patients, with a pipeline that can be expanded to other polyomavirus‑related diseases. By integrating kinetic and thermodynamic characterization with machine‑learning optimization, the company accelerates lead identification and pre‑clinical validation.
Target Audience
Primary customers are pharmaceutical companies and clinical development programs seeking antiviral therapies for transplant recipients and other immunocompromised patients affected by polyomavirus infections.
Features
- Precise 3D atomic coordinate mapping of drug‑protein binding sites to inform structure‑based design
- Privileged, target‑enriched small‑molecule libraries curated for antiviral activity
- Integrated kinetic and thermodynamic profiling of drug‑protein interactions
- AI and machine‑learning models that direct experimental synthesis and optimization cycles
- Oral drug candidates that target polyomavirus VP1 capsid assembly, Large T‑antigen function, and virus‑specific host pathways
- Platform adaptable to additional viral targets and disease indications beyond polyomaviruses