"A start-up created by researchers is a unique opportunity to develop innovative drugs"
Santiago Esteban and Laura Nevola
Santiago Esteban holds a PhD in Chemistry (University of Valencia) and has focused on computational methods to study proteins at research centers in Spain (IRB, BSC) and abroad (Germany and the Netherlands). Laura Nevola has an undergraduate degree in medical chemistry and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Science (University of Rome). Her specialty, which she has developed at the University of Rome, Yale University and the IRB Barcelona, is developing molecules to modulate protein function.
IDP Pharma, which has just closed its second round of funding and has attracted €2 millions since it was founded in February 2015, develops drugs that act on new mechanisms of action involved in cancer, particularly multiple myeloma.
The drugs are geared towards a new class of therapeutic targets called IDP proteins. The company is also developing its own specific technology to design these drugs, which will allow them to launch new treatments to market.
Why did you want to be an entrepreneur?
- Santiago Esteban: After working in basic research in the biomedical sector for twelve years, my priorities shifted from generating knowledge to exploiting it. IDP Pharma started after we realized that the time had come to take advantage of the knowledge generated over 20 years on a new class of therapeutic target, IDP proteins, and transform it into new therapies. I’ve always liked to be part of change, so I couldn’t take this huge step without being involved personally and having a committed team.
- Laura Nevola: The main reason lies in my need to transform knowledge into technology, and that makes it essential to distance myself from academia. In my case, my training has led me to innovative drug development, with the aim of launching new therapies to treat cancer. I'm sure that a start-up created by trained, experienced researchers like us is a unique opportunity to make a significant contribution to this process.
What is the most important strategic decision you’ve made so far?
- S.E: Understanding that a project of this scope can’t be done by just a few people. This has led us to forge new alliances with other professionals in the sector. Healthy agreements are those in which everyone is committed and everyone wins.
- L.N: Determining the chances for technical success for the various projects the company is developing, prioritizing those that allow us to advance, while we prepare projects with a greater degree of innovation.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
- S.E: "Put a medical chemist in your life."
- L.N: Really, it was something I heard several times and interpreted as advice. Before deciding to set off on this adventure, when I was telling people about the project (relatives, friends, colleagues), many of them said, “You’ve convinced me.” That helped me realize I knew what I had to do.
And now what? What milestones do you want to achieve in the short term?
- S.E: The “stabilization” phase we are currently in is the step prior to growth. We have to prepare the company to speak a global language, to attract foreign investors.
- L.N: We’re at a critical point; the next year will be crucial. As I like to say, “We have the actors and the budget to shoot the scene.” We want to advance quickly to complete studies in animal models and, at the same time, start new discovery programs. Consolidating the company is our main goal.
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