Daniolabs

Daniolabs was a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, UK, that specialized in using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model for high-throughput drug discovery. The company developed a proprietary platform that utilized the genetic and physiological similarities between zebrafish and humans to identify novel therapeutic candidates across various disease areas, including neurology and ophthalmology. Their lead program, DL77, was a small molecule orexin antagonist developed for the treatment of sleep disorders. In May 2007, Daniolabs was acquired by ViroPharma for $15 million in cash to enhance its early-stage pipeline and research capabilities. Following the acquisition, its programs were integrated into ViroPharma's portfolio, which was later acquired by Shire and subsequently Takeda.