The second edition of the Drug Repurposing Venture Challenge has officially begun. From June to October 2026, four ambitious teams will be working on further developing innovative drug repurposing concepts and translating these into promising business plans.

During the programme, the teams will be guided in drawing up a venture plan in which a scientific breakthrough in the field of drug repurposing is transformed into a solid business case. The focus is not only on scientific and commercial feasibility, but also on socially responsible application and accessibility for patients.

The Venture Challenge consists of two intensive three-day boot camps, supplemented by coaching sessions led by experts from the life sciences sector, investors and experienced entrepreneurs. Throughout the programme, the teams will work on aspects such as value propositions, validation strategies, business development, and writing and pitching a business plan. The challenge concludes with a final day on 7 October and an awards ceremony on 29 October 2026 during the FAST event 2026. The winning team will receive €20,000 for the further development of the drug repurposing concept.

Through the Drug Repurposing Venture Challenge, ZonMw and FAST aim to contribute to the faster, affordable and socially responsible development of new therapies based on existing medicines. By supporting researchers and start-up entrepreneurs in the transition from academic discovery to practical application, the organisations aim to accelerate the journey from idea to patient.

The participating teams
The participating teams and their ambitious projects are:

Mitosis Therapeutics
Mitosis Therapeutics develops strategies to enhance radiotherapy, aimed at improving cancer treatment without increasing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The ENRICH technology is based on an orally administered drug that temporarily traps dividing tumour cells in a phase of the cell cycle in which they are highly sensitive to radiation. By carefully timing the administration prior to radiotherapy, tumours become more vulnerable to radiation, thereby increasing efficacy and minimising toxicity to normal tissue. This approach specifically targets actively dividing cells and will therefore offer a more selective therapeutic benefit. The concept was developed for glioblastoma; preclinical studies were promising and a first clinical trial is in preparation. The team is now investigating its extension to sarcoma.
Institute involved: Netherlands Cancer Institute

Team Amnis
Despite successful surgical removal of the tumour, some patients with early-stage melanoma remain at risk of recurrence. Conventional intravenous immunotherapies are often unsuitable due to the risk of chronic toxicity. Clinical studies at Amsterdam UMC show that a single injection of an immunostimulant can induce effective immunity against melanoma without serious side effects and can reduce the risk of recurrence. The aim is to repurpose it as a locally administered (mono)therapy for early-stage melanoma.
Institution involved: Amsterdam UMC

The M-VaD team
The M-VaD team aims to use an existing medicine for the treatment and prevention of vascular dementia (VaD). In Europe, it is estimated that nearly 14.3 million people will be living with dementia by 2050, with VaD playing a significant role. In the Netherlands, approximately 300,000 people are affected. Research shows that the drug can improve vascular health and reduce vascular ageing. The team is aiming for a safe and cost-effective treatment/prevention strategy, but large-scale clinical trials and funding for commercialisation are required.
Institute involved: Erasmus MC

CHOCOLAD: cholesterol metabolism in late-onset Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s affects around 50 million people worldwide, and there are currently no treatments that can alter the course of the disease. There is evidence that disrupted cholesterol and fat metabolism in the brain plays a key role. Our research identifies a potential for repurposing an HIV drug for Alzheimer’s. The drug restores the cholesterol balance in brain cells and reduces disease-related changes; clinical trials have commenced.
Institute involved: Amsterdam UMC

Full team profiles and further information about the Drug Repurposing Venture Challenge can be found at  Drug Repurposing Venture Challenge – FAST
ZonMw, Oost NL and FAST are proud of these pioneering teams and look forward to seeing their progress in the coming months.