Vasa Secures Funding Round Led by Orphinic Scientific to Propel Cardiovascular Therapie

Orphinic Scientific Leads Investment Round in Vasa

In a funding round spearheaded by Orphinic Scientific, Vasa, a biopharmaceutical company, has secured investments from private investment funds NuFund Venture Group, SeedFolio, and other contributors.

As part of this collaboration, Prof. Jarosław Leszczyszyn, Orphinic’s chairman of the supervisory board, will join Vasa’s board of directors.

Utilization of Funds for Advancing Cardiovascular Therapies

Vasa intends to utilize the funds to advance innovative therapies aimed at treating cardiovascular diseases. Led by CEO Artur Plonowski, MD, PhD, Vasa focuses on developing therapeutics that specifically target the pathophysiology of cardiovascular aging.

Targeted Therapies Under Development:

1. VS-041: A personalized medicine-based treatment for HFpEF (Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction). Preclinical models of HFpEF have shown promising results, indicating a reduction in cardiac fibrosis with VS-041. This therapy inhibits the release of signaling collagen fragments linked to fibroinflammatory responses, serving as biomarkers for adverse outcomes in HFpEF patients. A Phase 1 clinical trial for VS-041 is scheduled for Q2 2024.
2. Long-Acting Apelin Peptide Analogs: These are developed for combination treatment with incretins in obesity patients at risk of skeletal muscle loss or cardiovascular disease. As monotherapy, long-acting apelin agonists display potential benefits in conditions like muscle atrophy, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and peripheral artery disease.
3. Inhibitor of CamKIId: Targeting heart failure and life-threatening arrhythmias, this inhibitor is another therapeutic avenue Vasa is exploring.

Implications of the Investment

The financing secured from Orphinic Scientific and other investment groups is poised to fuel Vasa’s initiatives in advancing its cardiovascular therapeutic pipeline, ultimately aiming to address critical needs in the field of cardiovascular medicine.