Elora Therapeutics

Elora is developing first-in-class enzyme therapeutics to address internal microplastics as an exogenous driver of disease. Our initial focus is Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), chosen for its prevalence and its association with metabolic dysfunction. Our patent-pending formulation is designed to hydrolyze PET into smaller molecules that the body can clear through natural pathways. Following PET, our development roadmap includes expanding to other high-burden polymers: Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), and Polystyrene (PS).

We’re advancing early validation on the road to clinical studies, prioritizing rigorous measurement of microplastic burden alongside metabolic endpoints. Our team unites enzyme engineering, translational biology, and company-building experience to address synthetic burden at its biological root and translate science into patient impact.

02 Science

Our lead program targets PET microplastics with engineered enzymes optimized for human physiology, with an initial focus on metabolic dysfunction (ICD-10 E88.810)

Microplastics like PET are increasingly recognized as bioactive pollutants, not inert bystanders. Once in the bloodstream and tissues, they can disrupt cellular function, drive oxidative stress, impair hormonal signaling, and contribute to chronic inflammation. Their presence has been associated with metabolic dysfunction in addition to endocrine disruption and chronic inflammation, with possible links to cancer under active study. There are currently no approved therapeutics to systemically address PET plastics in the human body.

Elora is developing a systemically delivered enzyme therapeutic designed to degrade internal microplastics in vivo. We are starting with PET, given its prevalence and its relevance to metabolic health. Our patent-pending enzymes are engineered for human physiology, with the goal of maintaining activity in serum at physiological pH and transforming PET into smaller molecules that the body can clear through natural pathways.

Our near-term focus is PET, but as we progress, we plan to expand development to additional high-burden polymers, including PE, PP, and PS. In collaboration with academic and industry partners, we are conducting in vitro validation in human-simulated serum with a focused in vivo mouse study to analyze PET MNPs burden, metabolic biomarkers, safety, and therapeutic response.

This is molecular intervention at the source of synthetic burden. This is science built for a modern, synthetic threat.

03 Team and Advisory Board

Paul Swartzendruber founded Elora Therapeutics to address one of the most overlooked threats to human health: microplastic accumulation in the body. With a background spanning early-stage product development and business, international policy, and now biotechnology commercialization, Paul brings a multidisciplinary lens to therapeutic innovation.
Prior to launching Elora, Paul served as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, where he oversaw chemical and biological weapons issues. Earlier in his career, he held roles in marketing and product strategy at VRBO, led marketing at a tech startup acquired by a major media platform, and co-founded a consumer hardware company. This uncommon blend of technical curiosity, operational rigor, and public health focus laid the groundwork for Elora’s mission to develop first-in-class enzyme therapeutics for systemic microplastic degradation.
He holds degrees from The University of Texas at Austin, University of Maryland University College, and Harvard University.

Dr. Marc Deller is Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Elora Therapeutics. He is a globally recognized leader in Structure-Based Drug Design (SBDD) and drug discovery, with over 20 years of experience across academia, biotech, and pharma. He is known for pioneering innovations in protein science, X-ray crystallography, Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM), and AI-driven SBDD.
Dr. Deller has held senior scientific roles at Incyte Pharmaceuticals, Stanford University, Scripps Research Institute, and Pfizer. There, he established and led automated structural biology platforms, managed multi-million-dollar research budgets, and mentored cross-functional teams in high-impact therapeutic programs involving cytokine-based receptor tyrosine kinase, cell surface receptors, antibodies, and small-molecule therapeutics.
His work has contributed to more than 6 oncology, virology, and immunology programs reaching FDA IND filings, and he has published over 60 manuscripts and 3 patents in the field of protein science and SBDD.
Marc completed his post-doctoral research at Yale University and received his PhD in Structural Biology from University of Oxford. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University of Leeds.

Dr. Bryce Nicholls serves as a scientific advisor to Elora Therapeutics, contributing deep expertise in protein engineering, biocatalysis, and translational enzyme research. His guidance supports Elora’s strategy to develop safe, effective enzyme therapeutics capable of degrading microplastics in the human body.
Currently a Protein Engineering Test Engineer at Ginkgo Bioworks, Bryce brings hands-on experience advancing enzyme technologies for Fortune 500 clients. He has authored multiple peer-reviewed articles in leading journals including Nature Catalysis, Science, and Chemical Reviews, and was awarded Synlett’s “Paper of the Year” in 2022.
Bryce earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton University, where he led the first known protein engineering campaign on a photoenzymatic reaction—work that resulted in several high-impact publications and the development of new screening methods for non-natural biocatalysts. He later completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University focused on polymer chemistry and peptide–polymer conjugation in collaboration with industry partners.
He also maintains a strong commitment to scientific education and equity, having taught college-level chemistry through the Cornell Prison Education Program and contributed to national conversations on inclusive pedagogy.

Nilima or “Nili” serves as a strategic advisor to Elora Therapeutics, contributing deep expertise in global program management, medical product development, and cross-sector alliance building. Her advisory work at Elora draws on a unique blend of strategic insight, operational rigor, and a lifelong commitment to translating science into impact. With over 25 years of experience leading high-impact operations across biotech, government, and international health sectors, Nilima plays a key role in guiding Elora’s clinical development strategy and operational planning.
She has directed end-to-end development of vaccines and therapeutics from preclinical through clinical phases, with particular experience managing complex portfolios across private biotech companies, government contractors, and CMOs. At the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Defense (DoD), she led international, cross-functional teams supporting the development and oversight of medical countermeasure portfolios—including through Naval Advanced Medical Development (NAMD). Her track record includes building consensus across agencies and organizations to deliver results under highly regulated and high-stakes conditions.
Nilima earned her Master of Science in Cellular and Microbial Biology from The Catholic University of America, where she conducted research on enzyme activity in Plasmodium falciparum. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the College of St. Elizabeth.

04 Contact

If you are interested in scientific collaboration, media inquiry, or just want to learn more or say hello, we would love to hear from you.

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Elora Therapeutics, Inc.

5900 Balcones Dr, Ste 9059

Austin, Texas 78731

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