Draig Therapeutics

Draig Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for major neuropsychiatric disorders by modulating core glutamate and GABA pathways. The company was co-founded in 2024 by Cardiff University and SV Health Investors, launching with $140 million in Series A financing to advance its pipeline. The name "Draig" is Welsh for "dragon," reflecting the company's origins at Cardiff University in Wales.

The founding team includes Professors John Atack and Simon Ward from Cardiff University's Medicines Discovery Institute, alongside Dr. Ruth McKernan, a veteran of the pharmaceutical industry and former CEO of InnovateUK. Professors Atack and Ward bring decades of academic and large-pharma experience in GABA and glutamate receptor biology and drug discovery. Their work forms the scientific basis for Draig's approach to rebalancing the interplay between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission to address conditions like Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Draig's lead product candidate, DT-101, is a next-generation AMPA receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM) designed for safety and efficacy. Having shown target engagement in Phase 1 trials, DT-101 is advancing to Phase 2 studies for MDD. The company is also developing two highly selective GABAA receptor modulators, with plans to move them toward clinical development in 2026. The company's business model is focused on advancing its portfolio of small molecule therapies through clinical trials to address significant unmet needs in the neuropsychiatry market.

Keywords: neuropsychiatry, neuromodulation, glutamate pathways, GABA pathways, clinical-stage biotechnology, Major Depressive Disorder, AMPA receptor modulator, DT-101, GABAA receptor, small molecule therapies, Cardiff University, drug discovery, clinical trials, mental health treatment, brain network rebalancing, synaptic balance