Sanacor

Sanacor is a biotechnology company founded in 2023 and headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, focused on developing treatments for diabetic cardiovascular diseases. The company's core mission is to reverse this condition, which is a leading cause of death for individuals with diabetes.

The scientific foundation of Sanacor is built upon nearly two decades of research from Widlansky Labs, which identified that the overexpression of the FIS1 mitochondrial fission protein disrupts endothelial cells, leading to cardiovascular complications in diabetics. The company was co-founded by Dr. Michael Widlansky, a cardiologist whose research identified the role of FIS1 in vascular disease, and Saira Ramasastry, who brings operational and investment experience. The two have known each other since their undergraduate studies at Stanford, combining scientific expertise with business acumen to drive the company forward.

Sanacor is developing a small-molecule drug designed to safely and effectively block the FIS1 protein, thereby restoring mitochondrial function. While initial research involved a small protein to inhibit FIS1, the company shifted its focus to a small-molecule approach, as proteins often present challenges as drug candidates due to their size and instability. The company is currently in the lead optimization phase, refining its drug candidates to prepare for future clinical trials. A recent seed funding round led by Venture Investors Health Fund will help advance its lead compound toward human clinical studies. Sanacor has an exclusive licensing agreement with the Medical College of Wisconsin and collaborates with the Milwaukee Institute for Drug Discovery (MIDD).

Keywords: diabetic cardiovascular disease, FIS1 inhibitor, mitochondrial dysfunction, cardiometabolic disease, biotechnology, small-molecule drug, vascular disease, drug development, endothelial cells, mitochondrial fission, lead optimization, seed funding, medical research