Vandria

Vandria SA is a Swiss biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies targeting mitochondrial health to combat age-related and chronic diseases. Founded in 2021 by Patrick Aebischer, Chris Rinsch, and Johan Auwerx, Vandria was spun out of Amazentis SA to pioneer the development of first-in-class small molecule mitophagy inducers. The company is headquartered at the EPFL Innovation Park in Lausanne, Switzerland, with dedicated lab facilities at Superlab Suisse on the Biopôle Lausanne campus.

The company's core business revolves around its proprietary drug discovery engine, which develops novel small molecules designed to induce mitophagy—a cellular process for removing and recycling damaged mitochondria. By rejuvenating cells, these therapies aim to address the root causes of various conditions. Vandria's business model is centered on the research, development, and eventual commercialization of these pharmaceutical products, targeting areas with significant unmet medical needs. Its strategy includes forming partnerships with other biotech and pharmaceutical companies to advance its pipeline.

Vandria's lead product candidate, VNA-318, is a brain-penetrant, patent-protected molecule designed to treat central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Pre-clinical studies have indicated its potential to improve cognitive functions like memory and learning, suggesting applications for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The company is advancing VNA-318 into clinical trials, with a Phase 1 study underway to assess its safety and dosage. Beyond CNS applications, Vandria's pipeline includes programs targeting diseases of the muscle, lung, and liver, as well as a separate program focused on ferroptosis, another form of cell death implicated in neurodegenerative diseases.

Since its inception, Vandria has achieved significant financial milestones, emerging from stealth mode in December 2023 with a Series A funding round of $20.6 million led by ND Capital. By August 2024, the company secured a second closing of its Series A, bringing the total to $30.7 million with participation from investors like Hevolution Foundation and Dolby Family Ventures. This capital is being used to fund clinical trials for VNA-318 and expand its research platform. In addition to equity financing, Vandria has also secured non-dilutive funding through grants from Innosuisse and Eurostars to support its research programs.

Keywords: mitochondrial therapeutics, mitophagy inducers, neurodegenerative diseases, biopharmaceutical, small molecule drugs, age-related diseases, drug discovery, clinical trials, VNA-318, Alzheimer's treatment, Parkinson's treatment, CNS disorders, cognitive impairment, cellular rejuvenation, ferroptosis, biopharma startup, Lausanne biotech, life sciences, venture capital funding, ND Capital, Hevolution Foundation, Dolby Family Ventures, Patrick Aebischer, Chris Rinsch, Klaus Dugi, muscle diseases, lung diseases, liver diseases