Deltanoid Pharmaceuticals

About Deltanoid Pharmaceuticals

Deltanoid Pharmaceuticals, Inc. operated as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, which, according to Pitchbook, went out of business in March 2019. The company was founded in 1999, with some sources indicating the year 2000, and was based in Madison, Wisconsin. It was established from research conducted in the biochemistry lab of Hector F. DeLuca at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. Dr. DeLuca, a prominent figure in vitamin D research, co-founded the company along with Margaret Clagett-Dame, PhD. Dr. DeLuca served as Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Operating Officer, while Dr. Clagett-Dame held the role of Executive Vice President.

The firm's core focus was on developing therapies derived from vitamin D-based compounds to address diseases related to the kidney, bone, and skin by targeting the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Its business model centered on the discovery and clinical development of proprietary drug candidates. Deltanoid's strategy involved advancing these compounds through clinical trials with the eventual goal of commercialization, thus operating within the drug discovery and development sector of the pharmaceutical industry. The company managed its clinical development and manufacturing through partnerships with contract research organizations and contract manufacturing organizations, a common model for virtual pharma companies.

Deltanoid's lead product candidate was DP001, a compound developed for treating secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) in patients with kidney disease. By 2016, DP001 had progressed to Phase 2 clinical trials and was being prepared for Phase 3. Another compound, DP006, was under development for the treatment of acne. The company's approach was to create differentiated products with strong safety and efficacy profiles. Deltanoid was privately held and venture-backed, having raised a total of $16.3 million. Its funding rounds included a Series A of $4.25 million in June 2001 and a Series B of $12 million in December 2007. Key institutional investors included Venture Investors, Mason Wells, and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF).