Our Programs and Priorities
Therapeutic development is often a complex, costly, and risky undertaking. Ethos Discovery in collaboration with the Ethos Compounding Pharmacy have a unique opportunity to de-risk the development and market delivery of specific therapeutics.
The features of drugs that would be best fit this approach are drugs that have an available API in the US, have no veterinary approved products, and would be well suited for a science-based marketing approach (compared to a Direct to consumer approach).
Current and Upcoming Studies in the Novel Therapeutics Program
- Activity of CBD for the Treatment of Idiopathic Epilepsy in Dogs
- Definition of Steady State Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of CBD in Dogs
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most promising phytocannabinoid, owing to its non-psychotropic effects, low toxicity, and high tolerability. There are numerous proposed medical applications of CBD, including pain, epilepsy, nausea, appetite, and cancer care. Investigations into these unmet needs will have potential impacts in the treatment of both veterinary and human diseases. Before pursuing trials to evaluate the activity of CBD in a given condition, definition of chronic pharmacokinetics (the concentrations of CBD in the blood over time) must be performed. This would then allow for the determination of appropriate dosing in future therapeutic trials. - Improvement in the Formulation of Mycophenolate in Dogs
Mycophenolate is an immunosuppressive drug commonly used in dogs for the treatment of several auto-immune diseases and typically requires long courses of treatment. Even though it is commonly used, it has poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract in dogs. This poor absorption is known to be associated with highly variable drug levels in the blood between patients. Higher doses can often improve this issue, but would subsequently be associated with an increased risk of side effects. Ethos Discovery proposes investigating means to improve the absorption of mycophenolate through the development of novel formulations. - Improvement in the Formulation of Posaconazole in Dogs
Posaconazole is an anti-fungal agent that is commonly used for fungal infections in dogs and is typically prescribed for prolonged courses. Similar to mycophenolate, it also has a poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. Ethos Discovery proposes investigating means to improve posaconazole’s absorption through the development of novel formulations.
