Dina Pharma is a pre-clinical stage company developing a treatment for Levodopa-Induced Dyskinesia (LID) – an orphan disease state.
Our lead program, DPI-289, is a small-molecule NCE, with a novel mechanism of action referred to as DAMA (delta agonist, mu antagonist). Interest in the involvement of the opioid axis in Parkinson's disease (PD) stems from the observation that enkephalins are co-localized with GABA in striatal output neurons that project to the globus pallidus and substantia nigra. Enkephalins are endogenous neuropeptides with high affinity for delta and mu opioid receptors, and participate in the regulation of motor function in the basal ganglia. Both rodent and non-human primate disease models indicate that DPI-289 can treat PD symptoms as monotherapy, or in combination with levodopa therapy to reduce or eliminate LID.
Because of the substantial unmet need and the anticipated orphan designation for Dina Pharma’s lead compound, DPI-289, the market could readily exceed $5+ billion in the U.S.
To date, DPI-289 has benefited from several millions of dollars in R&D funding by legacy companies, as well as $1.5 million from the Michael J. Fox Foundation to advance PD studies in non-human primates. All of Dina Pharma's IP is fully-owned and unencumbered.
Dina Pharma has a lean and experienced team supported by the Michael J. Fox Foundation and partnerships with world-renowned neurologists and experts in Parkinson's disease. Dina Pharma is currently seeking funding to accelerate progress to compete Phase II development.