The Emory Drug Development Fund (EDDF)

Funding Emory-discovered therapeutic candidates towards clinical validation

The EDDF helps bridge the “Valley of Death,” the funding gap between discovery and clinical validation. The fund works with Emory therapeutic innovators to reach key development milestones, such as optimizing and selecting lead candidates, conducting IND-enabling studies and preparing for clinical testing.

The fund was established in 2023 through the strategic re-investment of licensing royalty income received from the sales of LEGEVRIO™ (molnupiravir), an investigational medicine used to treat adults with mild to moderate COVID-19. LEGEVRIO™ is commercialized by Merck and was initially developed by Drug Innovations at Emory (DRIVE).

The EDDF is part of Emory Innovations, Inc., a non-profit subsidiary wholly owned by Emory.

Investments

The fund has made three investments to date as part of an overall portfolio strategy:

Allonix Therapeutics

Allonix Therapeutics develops novel small molecule drugs that target a cell-signaling pathway implicated in inflammation, cholesterol homeostasis and cellular metabolism. Allonix’s lead program is a small molecule agonist to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Allonix was founded by Emory researchers Eric Ortlund and John Calvert in conjunction with Orange Grove Bio.

logo graphic of a green dot inside a blue upward pointing triangle and text under reading 'Allonix Therapeutics'

AgriThera

AgriThera develops novel cannabinoid pro-drug therapeutics for the treatment of seizure disorders, chronic pain and anxiety. AgriThera was founded by Emory researchers Dennis Liotta and Stephen Traynelis.

logo graphic of green text reading 'Agrithera' with two leaves under the text and a green square outline behind

Laboratory Direct Investment

EDDF has also made direct investment in the laboratory of Eric Sorscher, a prominent Emory researcher who is developing small molecule activators of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein to treat upper and lower airway respiratory diseases such as chronic sinusitis, non-CF bronchiectasis, COPD and asthma.

Inquiries

For inquiries about EDDF, contact:
Doug Gooding
dgoodi2@emory.edu