Strong Dedication to Life-Threatening Infectious Diseases
AiCuris is a pharmaceutical company focused exclusively on the discovery, research and development of novel antiviral and antibacterial agents for the treatment of severe and potentially life-threatening infectious diseases. In addition, AiCuris has two immune modulator programmes.
AiCuris was formed in March 2006 as a spin-off of the Anti-Infectives Unit of BayerHealthCare, known for its long history of successful anti-infective drug development and blockbuster antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin and Moxifloxacin.
Bayer's portfolio of antiviral and antibacterial R&D programs, compounds and intellectual property as well as key experts in research and development formed the core around which AiCuris was built. Majority investors are Drs. Strüngmann, the founders and previous owners of Hexal, a major German company in the generic drug business.
AiCuris possesses core expertise in pharmacology, microbiology, virology, pharmacokinetics, medicinal chemistry and clinical development and is led by a proven management team headed by CEO Prof. Dr. Helga Rübsamen-Schaeff , former Senior VP and Head of Anti-Infectives Research at Bayer HealthCare.
AiCuris relies on a team of scientists with profound experience in international drug development from small and large pharmaceutical companies. Thus, AiCuris is well positioned not only to rapidly move the current portfolio of product candidates through clinical development, but also to discover novel therapies for infectious diseases.
Currently, AiCuris has two compounds in phase II, five compounds in phase I, one compound in phase 0 and two additional preclinical projects in development. Overall, 10 development compounds are investigated in the indications HCMV, HSV, HIV, hepatitis B and C, and nosocomial bacterial infections. To preserve a sustainable antiviral and antibacterial development pipeline, the company is also working on several in-house research programs and seeks to in-license early drug candidates for selected indications.
Nearly all AiCuris drugs stem from novel chemical classes and most target novel modes of action. Therefore, AiCuris compounds are resistance breaking by design. AiCuris thus features two distinctive characteristics: A broad pipeline and highly innovative, resistance breaking compounds.
With this portfolio of Anti-Infectives, AiCuris targets one of the largest pharmaceutical markets, which grows particularly strongly in emerging countries. Within this market, most of AiCuris projects serve high growth areas in specialist indications and with high medical need.
The head office and laboratories of AiCuris are located at the Life Science Park in Wuppertal, Germany, where the company occupies 3,000 square meters of purpose built biology and pharmacokinetics facilities for the discovery and development of novel anti-infective agents with a current staff of >60 employees.
