Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory
Drive is a nonprofit organization dedicated to infectious innovation, focusing on developing antiviral drugs for viral diseases of global concern. It leverages academic research, industry expertise, and substantial funding to translate discoveries into effective treatments. Drive's leadership has extensive experience in biotech and pharmaceuticals, with a focus on viruses like COVID-19, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, influenza, Ebola, and others. The organization collaborates with industry, academic, and government partners to accelerate drug development and address unmet medical needs in infectious diseases.
Industries
Nr. of Employees
small (1-50)
Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory
1230 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 3875, Atlanta, GA 30309
Products
Broad-spectrum RdRp inhibitor program
Project to discover competitive alternative-substrate inhibitors of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases intended to yield broad-spectrum antivirals against multiple RNA virus families.
Broad-spectrum flavivirus inhibitor program
Program targeting common replication steps of flaviviruses (e.g., dengue, HCV, West Nile) including entry, antigenome structures and viral protease to develop multi-flavivirus small-molecule inhibitors.
Host-directed myxovirus inhibitor program
Effort to develop host-directed small-molecule inhibitors that impair myxovirus replication to achieve broader-spectrum activity and reduce rapid resistance emergence.
Oral ribonucleoside analog antiviral program
Development program for orally bioavailable ribonucleoside analogs with broad activity against RNA viruses and strategy to deliver active nucleoside forms systemically.
Broad-spectrum RdRp inhibitor program
Project to discover competitive alternative-substrate inhibitors of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerases intended to yield broad-spectrum antivirals against multiple RNA virus families.
Broad-spectrum flavivirus inhibitor program
Program targeting common replication steps of flaviviruses (e.g., dengue, HCV, West Nile) including entry, antigenome structures and viral protease to develop multi-flavivirus small-molecule inhibitors.
Host-directed myxovirus inhibitor program
Effort to develop host-directed small-molecule inhibitors that impair myxovirus replication to achieve broader-spectrum activity and reduce rapid resistance emergence.
Oral ribonucleoside analog antiviral program
Development program for orally bioavailable ribonucleoside analogs with broad activity against RNA viruses and strategy to deliver active nucleoside forms systemically.
Services
Identification and optimization of small-molecule antiviral candidates from academic discoveries through preclinical candidate selection.
Custom medicinal and process chemistry for synthesis of new chemical entities and scale-up manufacture of active compounds to support preclinical studies.
Bioanalytical method development and execution, pharmacokinetic sample analysis, and preclinical safety/efficacy studies using LC-MS/MS, mass spectrometry and related methods.
Conduct of studies and preparation of documentation needed to support investigational new drug filings and transition to human clinical trials.
Out-licensing of assets, formation of collaborations with industry and academic partners, and facilitation of spin-outs or transfers to commercial developers.
Identification and optimization of small-molecule antiviral candidates from academic discoveries through preclinical candidate selection.
Custom medicinal and process chemistry for synthesis of new chemical entities and scale-up manufacture of active compounds to support preclinical studies.
Bioanalytical method development and execution, pharmacokinetic sample analysis, and preclinical safety/efficacy studies using LC-MS/MS, mass spectrometry and related methods.
Conduct of studies and preparation of documentation needed to support investigational new drug filings and transition to human clinical trials.
Out-licensing of assets, formation of collaborations with industry and academic partners, and facilitation of spin-outs or transfers to commercial developers.
Expertise Areas
- Antiviral drug discovery and lead optimization
- Nucleoside/nucleotide analogue and prodrug development
- Medicinal chemistry and process chemistry
- Preclinical pharmacology and DMPK/bioanalysis
Key Technologies
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy
- LC-MS/MS bioanalytical mass spectrometry
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
- In vitro kinase assays
News & Updates
Drive's CEO George Painter is seen hiking in Death Valley, furthering the organization's mission by bridging the Valley of Death.
An antiviral compound discovered at Emory University, designated EIDD-2801, shows efficacy against related coronaviruses SARS and MERS, and is being developed as a potential treatment for COVID-19.
Abel De La Rosa, PhD, has been appointed as Chief Scientific Officer of DRIVE and the Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD).
DRIVE licensed ATI-2173, a candidate for hepatitis B treatment, to Antios Therapeutics, which raised $25 million in Series A funding.
Abel De La Rosa received the 2017 Community Award for his contributions to Georgia’s life sciences industry.
An NPR segment features DRIVE and EIDD, highlighting their efforts in drug development.
Drive's CEO George Painter is seen hiking in Death Valley, furthering the organization's mission by bridging the Valley of Death.
An antiviral compound discovered at Emory University, designated EIDD-2801, shows efficacy against related coronaviruses SARS and MERS, and is being developed as a potential treatment for COVID-19.
Abel De La Rosa, PhD, has been appointed as Chief Scientific Officer of DRIVE and the Emory Institute for Drug Development (EIDD).
DRIVE licensed ATI-2173, a candidate for hepatitis B treatment, to Antios Therapeutics, which raised $25 million in Series A funding.
Abel De La Rosa received the 2017 Community Award for his contributions to Georgia’s life sciences industry.
An NPR segment features DRIVE and EIDD, highlighting their efforts in drug development.