Speedel Pharma was established at the end of 1998 in Basel, Switzerland, with the goal of contributing-with a new business concept-to the fast and efficient development of innovative cardiovascular drugs. The company′s business objective is to acquire, finance, and develop innovative mols. for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders and to unlock their value through: Fast-track clin. development programs emphasizing clin. proof of concept and indication targeting. Innovative tech. problem solving (e.g. synthesis improvements, galenic formulations) Speedel was founded by a group of Pharma managers and scientific experts with long-standing R&D experience. This core team is supported by a Medical Advisory Board and a Scientific-Tech. Advisory Board. Speedel has raised over 20 million Swiss francs in private financing. The front-runner of Speedel′s development portfolio is SPP 100, an orally active renin inhibitor, licensed from Novartis Pharma AG, for the treatment of hypertension, chronic renal disease, and congestive heart failure. SPP 100 represents a breakthrough in an effort lasting more than two decades to find a suitable renin inhibitor with high potency, specificity, and oral bioavailability. Since licensing this compound from Novartis Pharma in 1999, Speedel has established an ambitious fast-track program and driven the development of SPP 100 from Phase I testing in volunteers to the successful start of patient studies in Phase II. Speedel is confident that its business concept and operational approach can accelerate drug development. Speedel is now interested in broadening its pipeline to addnl. compounds, which could take advantage of Speedel′s strengths in efficient concept testing and innovative tech. development.