Dutch Biotech Secures €1.3 Million to Make Arthritis Drug More Effective
Netherlands, Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Amplio Pharma’s breakthrough approach doesn’t create new drugs but makes existing ones work better. Their NovoBioJect technology acts like a cellular gatekeeper, preventing methotrexate from being pumped out of inflammation cells too quickly, allowing it to work more effectively at lower doses with fewer side effects for rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Healthcare Innovation Through Drug Enhancement
This development represents a significant advancement in healthtech, specifically in pharmaceutical innovation for chronic disease management. Amplio Pharma, a Netherlands-based biotechnology company, has secured €1.3 million in funding to advance clinical development of their NovoBioJect drug delivery system [1][2]. The technology addresses a critical limitation in rheumatoid arthritis treatment by enhancing the effectiveness of methotrexate, currently the most prescribed basic medication for rheumatoid arthritis worldwide [1]. Rather than developing entirely new drugs—a process that is typically lengthy and expensive—Amplio Pharma’s approach focuses on improving existing medications to deliver better patient outcomes [2].
The Science Behind Enhanced Drug Delivery
The core innovation lies in addressing a fundamental problem with methotrexate: the drug is expelled from cells and tissues too quickly to achieve optimal effectiveness [1]. NovoBioJect works by adding novobiocin, which functions as a cellular gatekeeper that temporarily slows down the efflux pump in cells—essentially the ‘doorways’ through which methotrexate is normally pumped out of inflammation cells [1]. This mechanism allows methotrexate to remain in inflammation cells longer and perform its therapeutic work more powerfully [1]. The enhanced effectiveness enables methotrexate to be prescribed at lower dosages while being effective for a larger group of patients, significantly reducing unpleasant side effects that patients typically experience [1].
Clinical Progress and Investment Utilization
Amplio Pharma has successfully completed essential preclinical studies and is currently conducting a Phase 1b clinical study with rheumatoid arthritis patients [1]. Following an interim analysis, the initial results appear promising [1]. The €1.3 million in funding will be used to finance clinical research for NovoBioJect, including the current Phase 1b study with rheumatoid arthritis patients and preparation for the next, larger-scale patient study through a Clinical Trial Application [1]. The investment consortium includes ROM InWest, Libertatis Ergo Holding B.V., Amsterdam Academic Ventures, and Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland [2], reflecting the collaborative nature of Dutch life sciences funding.
Broader Healthcare and Economic Impact
The innovation addresses both patient welfare and healthcare system sustainability by potentially allowing more patients to remain successfully treated with methotrexate for longer periods, reducing their likelihood of developing resistance [1]. This extended effectiveness could delay the need for patients to transition to more expensive combination therapies, significantly reducing healthcare costs and contributing to a more sustainable healthcare system [1]. Beyond rheumatoid arthritis, the technology targets immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and shows potential for other conditions such as psoriasis and Crohn’s disease [1]. Amplio Pharma leverages Amsterdam’s strong knowledge base around Amsterdam UMC and collaborates closely with the Leiden ecosystem to accelerate early clinical development, contributing to the valorization of Dutch expertise into concrete patient care with Noord-Holland playing a prominent role where science and entrepreneurship converge [1].