What Vasa Therapeutics does

Vasa Therapeutics is a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class therapeutics for cardiovascular aging, neuromuscular, and age-related disorders. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Encinitas, California, with R&D operations in Wrocław, Poland, the company is led by a founder team (CEO Artur Plonowski, MD PhD; SVP Chemistry Benjamin Pratt, PhD) with a documented track record of developing clinical and commercial drugs resulting in exits exceeding $1B USD. Its core technology platform centers on narrow-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors and long-acting apelin analogs designed to target validated disease mechanisms, particularly myocardial fibrosis underlying heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

The company's pipeline comprises four differentiated assets: VS-041 (lead clinical candidate, a narrow-spectrum MMP-2/MMP-9 inhibitor for HFpEF, which received FDA IND Clearance in October 2025, FDA Fast Track Designation in November 2025, completed Phase 1 first-in-human studies in June 2025, and is currently enrolling a Phase 1c proof-of-mechanism trial), VS-214 (long-acting apelin analog targeting peripheral artery disease, neuromuscular diseases, and sarcopenia, on track for first-in-human trials in 2026), VS-065 (MMP inhibitor for veterinary use in canine myxomatous mitral valve disease and subvalvular aortic stenosis, co-developed with the University of Life Sciences in Wrocław), and a CAMKII delta inhibitor program developed in partnership with Eli Lilly's TuneLab AI/ML platform with first-in-human targeted for 2027. Vasa is pre-revenue and has raised $8.3 million in seed financing (January 2024) plus approximately 35 million PLN in EU/Polish government grants across its HFpEF and veterinary programs. The intended revenue model is pharmaceutical drug licensing and royalties upon regulatory approval, with future commercialization expected through co-development partnerships with larger pharmaceutical companies.

Name

Vasa Therapeutics

Legal name

Vasa Therapeutics, Inc.

Website

https://vasatherapeutics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vasa Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class narrow-spectrum MMP inhibitors and apelin analogs targeting cardiovascular aging, HFpEF, neuromuscular disorders, and sarcopenia, with its lead asset VS-041 in Phase 1c trials.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cardiovascular Therapeutics

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Cardiology & Vascular Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAG)

Keywords

• Cardiovascular drug development
• MMP inhibitors
• Heart failure therapeutics
• Biopharmaceutical pipeline
• Age-related disease therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Drug Development and Licensing: Pre-revenue clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for cardiovascular aging, heart failure, and neuromuscular disorders. Revenue will be generated through drug licensing agreements, co-development partnerships, and eventual product commercialization upon regulatory approval.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Vasa Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of four differentiated therapeutic assets for cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and age-related disorders. Its lead asset, VS-041, is a narrow-spectrum MMP-2/MMP-9 inhibitor in Phase 1c proof-of-mechanism trials for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), supported by FDA Fast Track Designation and IND clearance. Supporting pipeline assets include VS-214 (apelin analogs for PAD and sarcopenia), VS-065 (veterinary MMP inhibitor for canine MMVD/SAS), and an AI/ML-driven CAMKII delta inhibitor program developed with Eli Lilly's TuneLab platform.

Product overview

Vasa Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a pipeline of four differentiated therapeutic assets targeting unmet medical needs in cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and age-related disorders. The core portfolio centers on VS-041, a narrow-spectrum MMP inhibitor for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which has received FDA Fast Track designation and IND clearance, currently in Phase 1c proof-of-mechanism trial. Supporting programs include VS-214 (apelin analogs for PAD and sarcopenia), VS-065 (veterinary MMP inhibitor for canine heart disease), and a CAMKII delta inhibitor developed via AI/ML partnership with Eli Lilly. The company operates from California and Poland locations, with European Union grant co-funding for HFpEF and veterinary drug development programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VS-041 VS-041 is Vasa's lead clinical candidate, a narrow-spectrum small-molecule inhibitor of MMP-2 and MMP-9 being developed for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). It demonstrated robust anti-fibrotic activity and improved cardiac function in preclinical models, with a favorable safety and tolerability profile in Phase 1 studies, and received FDA Fast Track Designation.
• VS-214 VS-214 is Vasa's long-acting apelin analog program targeting peripheral artery disease (PAD), neuromuscular diseases, and sarcopenia. In preclinical models it has shown potential to preserve and increase cardiac output, preserve muscle mass, and reverse age-related sarcopenia, with first-in-human trials planned in 2026.
• VS-065 VS-065 is a small-molecule MMP metalloproteinase inhibitor being developed for veterinary use in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS), positioned as a first-in-class disease-modifying drug for canine degenerative valvular heart disease.
• CAMKII Delta Inhibitor Program The CAMKII Delta Inhibitor Program is an AI/ML-driven discovery effort developing next-generation CAMKII delta inhibitors for cardiovascular indications, leveraging Eli Lilly's TuneLab federated learning platform, with first-in-human studies planned for 2027.

Quantifiable outcome

• VS-041 demonstrated robust reduction of cardiac fibrosis in preclinical models
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly TuneLab)coreTechnology or Integration · 14 April 2026Partnership to utilize Lilly's TuneLab AI-enabled drug discovery platform, which employs federated learning to allow external biotech companies to access proprietary predictive AI/ML models while maintaining data privacy. Vasa plans to apply TuneLab's models to support its CAMKII delta inhibitor program.
• Uniwersytet Przyrodniczy we Wrocławiu (University of Life Sciences in Wrocław)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-research consortium partner for the development of VS-065 as an innovative MMP inhibitor for canine MMVD and SAS. The consortium combines Vasa Therapeutics' pharmaceutical expertise with the university's research capabilities.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tenax Therapeutics: Late-stage clinical biotech developing levosimendan (TNX-103, TNX-201) for PH-HFpEF and other HFpEF indications. Closely comparable as a small, single-indication-focused cardiovascular company competing in the same HFpEF regulatory and commercial landscape as Vasa's VS-041.
• Imbria Pharmaceuticals: Clinical-stage biotech developing ninerafaxstat, a cardiac metabolic modulator for HFpEF. Direct peer to Vasa given its parallel focus on a novel mechanism addressing the same unmet need in HFpEF patients.
• Cardurion Pharmaceuticals: Cardiovascular-focused clinical biotech (private, Astellas-backed) developing therapies for heart failure including HFpEF. Comparable as a similarly sized cardiology biotech pursuing mechanism-driven HFpEF drug development.
• CinCor Pharma: Previously independent clinical-stage biotech developing aldosterone synthase inhibitor baxdrostat (acquired by AstraZeneca in 2023 for ~$1.8B). Direct comparable as an HFpEF/cardiovascular asset that ultimately validated the value of mechanism-focused CV biotechs through a major-pharma exit.
• Vicore Pharma: Clinical-stage biotech developing C21 (an angiotensin II type 2 receptor agonist) for IPF and systemic sclerosis. Comparable as a similarly sized European-rooted small-molecule company targeting fibrotic and age-related disease mechanisms.
• Lexeo Therapeutics: Clinical-stage cardiovascular genetic medicines biotech with programs in cardiomyopathies. Comparable as a similarly sized public/private cardiac-focused biotech developing mechanism-driven therapies for serious cardiovascular indications.
• Keros Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing TGF-beta superfamily-based therapeutics (cibotercept, KER-065) for hematologic and musculoskeletal disorders including potential cardiovascular applications. Comparable as a similarly staged mechanism-focused biotech with parallel pipeline and operational scale.

Broad incumbents

• Cytokinetics: Late-stage cardiac muscle biology company developing aficamten for HCM and omecamtiv mecarcil for heart failure. A broader cardiovascular incumbent with overlapping therapeutic focus on cardiac mechanics, serving as both peer and potential future acquirer/partner for Vasa.
• Novo Nordisk: Large incumbent whose semaglutide STEP-HFpEF and SELECT programs have validated GLP-1 therapy in HFpEF/obesity-cardiac overlap. Represents the dominant competitive force Vasa must differentiate against in HFpEF market development.
• Bayer: Major pharmaceutical company whose finerenone (Kerendia / FINEARTS-HF program) targets HFpEF/CKD and represents an established late-stage competitive therapy in the same disease space as VS-041.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vasa-therapeutics

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vasa Therapeutics