DelAQUA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

DelAQUA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a Chapel Hill-based startup founded in 2018 that specializes in developing advanced drug delivery technologies. The company has created a proprietary platform utilizing polymeric micelles, specifically poly(2-oxazoline) (POx) micelle technology, designed to enhance the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs. By reformulating existing marketed medications and stabilizing new chemical entities, DelAQUA aims to improve the safety and efficacy of therapeutic agents, potentially reducing side effects and allowing for smaller injection volumes. Their approach addresses a significant challenge in the pharmaceutical industry, where a large proportion of drug candidates are poorly soluble and face difficulty reaching the market due to bioavailability issues.

This technology is intended to support the development of therapies for a wide range of indications, including cancer, cardiovascular conditions, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders. By offering a robust, PEG-free solubilization platform, DelAQUA provides a solution that seeks to outperform traditional drug carriers, which often require high amounts of inactive excipients that can add cost and potential toxicity. The company actively engages with pharmaceutical partners and academic institutions to evaluate and co-develop novel formulations. DelAQUA has received federal support through a National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant, as well as state-level matching grants, to further the research and clinical development of their injectable and oral drug delivery platforms.