What we investigate
Topadur Pharma AG is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering topical dual-action therapies for aging-related diseases. By modulating cGMP, its drug candidates improve microcirculation and tissue regeneration. These mechanisms target diseases with high unmet medical needs, including digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis, diabetic foot ulcer, alopecia, and certain cancers.
KEYWORDS
androgenic alopecia, chronic wounds, fibrosis, microcirculation, regenerative medicine
Our research in more detail
Topadur Pharma AG is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapies for aging-related diseases associated with impaired microcirculation and dysregulated cell signaling. The company's proprietary platform targets the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway, a key regulator of vascular tone, microcirculation, and tissue repair.
Topadur's dual-action molecules combine stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) with inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), resulting in sustained elevation of intracellular cGMP levels. This mechanism improves microvascular function hence, blood flow to enhance supply of oxygen and nutrients and waste elimination, ultimately promoting tissue repair and regeneration.
The lead candidate is in clinical development for the treatment of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis, a debilitating condition with limited therapeutic options. Topadur's pipeline includes assets for additional indications such as diabetic foot ulcers, alopecia, tumor growth, and fibrotic diseases, where cGMP modulation and improved perfusion are critical. The company is also exploring applications in medical aesthetics, targeting skin aging and hair greying by leveraging its regenerative platform.
By addressing underlying pathophysiology rather than symptoms, Topadur aims to deliver disease-modifying treatments. Its science-driven, translational approach bridges molecular innovation with unmet clinical needs, positioning the company at the forefront of next-generation therapies for vascular and regenerative health.
Selected publications
SKINTEGRITY.CH Principal Investigators are in bold:
- Naef R, Tenor H and Koch G (2020). TOP-N53: A clinical drug candidate for the treatment of non-healing wounds. Chimia, 74(10), 814.
- Ben-Yehuda Greenwald M, Tacconi C, Jukic M, Joshi N, Hiebert P, Brinckmann J, Tenor H, Naef R and Werner S (2021). A dual-acting nitric oxide donor and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor promotes wound healing in normal mice and mice with diabetes. J Invest Dermatol, 141(2), 415.
- Ben-Yehuda Greenwald M, Liu Y-H, Li W, Hiebert P, Zubair M, Tenor H, Braun T, Naef R, Razansky D and Werner S (2022). Topical wound treatment with a nitric oxide-releasing PDE5 inhibitor formulation enhances blood perfusion and promotes healing in mice. Pharmaceutics, 14(11), 2358.
- Martínez-Martínez E, Atzei P, Vionnet C, Roubaty C, Kaeser-Pebernard S, Naef R and Dengjel J (2022). A dual-acting nitric oxide donor and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor activates autophagy in primary skin fibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci, 23(12), 6860.
- Kim Y, Ryu YC, Min HS, Yang H, Nam J, Lee C, Kim J, Naef R and Kim DD (2022). Dual-mode vasodilator M119 delivery to hair follicle via dissolving microneedle for advanced alopecia treatment. Adv Ther, 5(8), 2200052.