Coverage Initiated: July 2008

Raptor Pharmaceuticals (RPTP) is developing drugs for cancer, metabolic, and genetic diseases. The present company was founded in 2006 and its headquarters are in Novato, California. If this sounds vaguely familiar, it should. BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN), another member of our coverage universe (click here for more info) is also a Novato-based company focusing on developing drugs for orphan diseases. Former executives of BioMarin are indeed involved in Raptor and have licensed technology from BioMarin. Raptor has two drugs in the clinic.

Its lead drug, DR Cysteamine, is being explored in four different orphan indications: Nephropathic Cystinosis, Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), Huntington's Disease, and Batten Disease.

Convivia will treat symptoms associated with alcohol intolerance due to ALDH2 Deficiency. Believe it or not, there are health risks for ALDH2 deficient persons even if they don’t drink. There is alcohol resident in many dishes, even when no alcoholic drinks have been specifically added.

A complete listing of our research on Raptor Pharma is available by clicking here.