Cardior Pharmaceuticals
Cardior Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing non-coding RNA-based therapeutics for cardiovascular disease. Its lead asset CDR132L, a miR-132 inhibitor, is in Phase 2 trials for heart failure; it was acquired by Novo Nordisk in 2024.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersHanover, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cardior Pharmaceuticals does
Cardior Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Hannover, Germany, founded in 2017 by Prof. Thomas Thum to develop non-coding RNA (ncRNA)-based therapeutics for cardiovascular disease. The company's scientific platform centers on microRNA (miRNA) biology, with its lead asset CDR132L being a synthetic antisense oligonucleotide designed to inhibit miR-132 — a microRNA implicated in pathological cardiac remodeling and heart failure progression. The pipeline extends beyond CDR132L (currently in the 280-patient HF-REVERT Phase 2 trial across 60+ European sites) to include preclinical candidate CDR348T and discovery-stage programs.
The company's business model is that of a clinical-stage biotech with no commercial therapeutic product revenue. Pre-acquisition revenue mechanics consisted of non-dilutive grant funding (including a €1.01M grant in 2018) and equity capital raised across a ~€15M Series A (2017) and a €64M Series B (2021). Cardior also commercialized a CE-marked in-vitro diagnostic — the CardiorHealth miR-132 PCR Kit — which provides a modest complementary revenue stream and a translational biomarker tool for patient stratification. Following its acquisition by Novo Nordisk in May 2024 for up to €1.025 billion, Cardior operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Novo Nordisk Region Europe A/S, with its development programs advancing under the acquirer's cardiovascular pipeline strategy.
Cardior Pharmaceuticals firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cardior Pharmaceuticals
- Legal name
- Cardior Pharmaceuticals GmbH
- Website
- https://cardior.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cardior Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing non-coding RNA-based therapeutics for cardiovascular disease. Its lead asset CDR132L, a miR-132 inhibitor, is in Phase 2 trials for heart failure; it was acquired by Novo Nordisk in 2024.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cardior Pharmaceuticals industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cardiovascular Biopharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)
- akta.pro primary industry
- RNA Therapeutics Clinical Development (trial design, endpoints, patient stratification) (HLAAADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- RNA Chemistry & Oligonucleotide Engineering (backbones, modifications, stereochemistry) (HLAAADAE), Molecular Diagnostics (PCR/qPCR, NGS-based assays) (HLAAALAA)
Keywords
Where Cardior Pharmaceuticals is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hanover
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cardior Pharmaceuticals business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization: As a clinical-stage biotech, Cardior's revenue model centers on developing novel RNA-based therapeutics through clinical trials toward regulatory approval and commercial launch. The company was acquired by Novo Nordisk in March 2024 for €1.025 billion, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary, with future revenue expected from drug commercialization in cardiovascular indications.
- Licensing and Milestone Payments: Prior to acquisition, Cardior operated with funding from venture capital and milestone-based financing. Thomas Thum has filed over 40 patents, nine of which have been successfully licensed to pharma companies currently in Phase 1/2 clinical development.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Cardior Pharmaceuticals product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cardior Pharmaceuticals discovers and develops non-coding RNA (ncRNA)-based therapeutics designed to prevent, repair and reverse diseases of the heart. Its lead product CDR132L is an oligonucleotide-based inhibitor of miR-132 that halts and reverses detrimental cardiac remodeling in heart failure patients following myocardial infarction, currently evaluated in the Phase 2 HF-REVERT clinical trial. The company also markets a CE-marked companion diagnostic PCR kit (CardiorHealth miR-132 PCR Kit) to measure circulating miR-132 levels.
Product overview
Cardior Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery and development of non-coding RNA-based therapeutics designed to prevent, repair and reverse diseases of the heart. The company's core product is CDR132L, an oligonucleotide-based miRNA-132 inhibitor currently in Phase 2 clinical trials (HF-REVERT) for post-myocardial infarction heart failure. The therapeutic pipeline includes CDR348T (preclinical, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), CDR641L (discovery stage), and an undisclosed program for diverse indications. Additionally, Cardior developed the CardiorHealth miR-132 PCR Kit, a CE-marked companion diagnostic that measures miR-132 levels in patient blood. The company was acquired by Novo Nordisk in May 2024 for up to €1.025 billion.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CDR132L An oligonucleotide-based inhibitor directed against miRNA-132 (miR-132), designed to halt and reverse detrimental cardiac remodeling following myocardial infarction. First-ever ncRNA-based therapy to enter clinical trials in heart disease, currently in Phase 2 (HF-REVERT).
- CDR348T Preclinical therapeutic program targeting hypertrophic cardiomyopathy through modulation of non-coding RNAs.
- CDR641L Discovery-stage therapeutic program targeting cardiac diseases through interaction with non-coding RNAs.
- CardiorHealth miR-132 PCR Kit CE-marked PCR diagnostic kit that measures circulating microRNA-132 (miR-132) levels in patient blood. Used as a companion diagnostic in the HF-REVERT Phase 2 Clinical Study to monitor CDR132L therapy.
Quantifiable outcome
- Phase 1b study showed favorable safety profile and beneficial cardiac effects in heart failure patients treated with CDR132L vs placebo
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Cardior Pharmaceuticals
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Cardior Pharmaceuticals technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Cardior Pharmaceuticals partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Institute of Molecular and Translational Therapeutic Strategies (IMTTS) at Hannover Medical School (MHH)coreCardior received €1.01 million grant for joint research project with IMTTS to identify novel oligonucleotides for treatment of chronic heart failure. Prof. Thomas Thum serves as Director of IMTTS.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cardior Pharmaceuticals competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tenaya Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing gene therapies and regenerative medicines for heart disease, including heart failure and cardiomyopathies. Highly comparable to Cardior as a modality-focused, clinical-stage cardiovascular company targeting similar patient populations with a novel mechanism of action.
- Lexeo Therapeutics: Clinical-stage gene therapy company focused on cardiovascular diseases, including cardiac diseases caused by genetic mutations. Directly comparable to Cardior in mission (cardiac disease modification) and stage (early-to-mid clinical development with a novel modality).
- Verve Therapeutics: Clinical-stage company developing in vivo gene editing therapies for cardiovascular disease, with lead programs in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Comparable to Cardior as a modality-disruptive cardiovascular biotech targeting root-cause biology rather than symptomatic treatment.
- Cytokinetics: Late-stage cardiovascular biopharmaceutical company developing cardiac myosin modulators for heart failure and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Comparable to Cardior in therapeutic area (heart failure and HCM) and clinical-stage drug development focus.
Broad incumbents
- MyoKardia (acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb): Developed cardiac disease-modifying therapies for HCM and DCM and was acquired by BMS for $13.1B. Relevant benchmark as a successful cardiovascular biotech exit in a closely related indication space where Cardior's CDR348T also targets HCM.
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Established commercial-stage RNAi therapeutics company with a broad pipeline across multiple therapeutic areas. Relevant as the leading commercial RNA-interference platform, providing technical and strategic benchmarks for Cardior's oligonucleotide-based ncRNA approach.
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals: Pioneer in antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) RNA-targeted therapeutics with multiple approved and clinical-stage assets. Highly comparable technology platform to Cardior's oligonucleotide-based miRNA inhibition and a relevant strategic comparator.
- Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage RNAi therapeutics company with broad pipeline including cardiovascular and cardiometabolic programs. Comparable modality (RNAi-based) and clinical-stage development model to Cardior.
Emerging players
- BridgeBio Pharma: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with cardiovascular programs including therapies for heart failure and rare cardiac diseases. Comparable as a clinical-stage company advancing disease-modifying cardiovascular therapeutics.
- Lexicon Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing treatments for heart failure and other cardiometabolic conditions. Comparable as a mid-stage company addressing unmet needs in heart failure, an indication also targeted by Cardior.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cardior Pharmaceuticals social profiles
Digital presenceCardior Pharmaceuticals compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Cardior Pharmaceuticals financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cardior Pharmaceuticals leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Cardior Pharmaceuticals funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors10 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cardior Pharmaceuticals M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cardior Pharmaceuticals
What does Cardior Pharmaceuticals do?
Cardior Pharmaceuticals discovers and develops non-coding RNA (ncRNA)-based therapeutics designed to prevent, repair and reverse diseases of the heart. Its lead product CDR132L is an oligonucleotide-based inhibitor of miR-132 that halts and reverses detrimental cardiac remodeling in heart failure patients following myocardial infarction, currently evaluated in the Phase 2 HF-REVERT clinical trial. The company also markets a CE-marked companion diagnostic PCR kit (CardiorHealth miR-132 PCR Kit) to measure circulating miR-132 levels.
Is Cardior Pharmaceuticals a public or private company?
Cardior Pharmaceuticals is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Cardior Pharmaceuticals founded?
Cardior Pharmaceuticals was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cardior Pharmaceuticals based?
Cardior Pharmaceuticals is headquartered in Hanover, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Cardior Pharmaceuticals make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Pharmaceutical Development and Commercialization is the primary driver. The others are licensing and Milestone Payments.
Who are Cardior Pharmaceuticals's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tenaya Therapeutics, Lexeo Therapeutics, Verve Therapeutics and Cytokinetics. Broad incumbents are MyoKardia (acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb), Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Ionis Pharmaceuticals and Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals. Emerging players are BridgeBio Pharma and Lexicon Pharmaceuticals.
Does Cardior Pharmaceuticals have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cardior Pharmaceuticals.
What industry is Cardior Pharmaceuticals in?
Cardior Pharmaceuticals's product category is Cardiovascular Biopharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAADAH, RNA Therapeutics Clinical Development (trial design, endpoints, patient stratification), with a secondary code of HLAAADAE, RNA Chemistry & Oligonucleotide Engineering (backbones, modifications, stereochemistry). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 2835.