IDEA focused on non-invasive topical delivery of approved pain relief drugs.

Following Gilde’s investment in IDEA, the company successfully completed the development of its lead product Diractin®, which treats mild to moderate pain due to osteoarthritis of superficial joints like the knee. After Diractin® was approved in Switzerland, the company sold the early-stage product pipeline to Celtic Pharma. Rights to Diractin were sold to Alpharma Pharmaceuticals, now Pfizer.

IDEA was located in Munich, Germany.