Vandria begins clinical trials for Alzheimer’s drug VNA-318
Life sciences
7 January 2025
The Vandria team, based at the EPFL Innovation Park in Lausanne, is driving innovation in mitochondrial therapeutics, advancing treatments for neurodegenerative and age-related diseases. | © Vandria
Vandria, a Lausanne-based biotech pioneer in mitochondrial therapeutics, has dosed the first participants in a Phase 1 clinical trial for its lead compound, VNA-318, marking a critical step toward addressing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Vandria, headquartered in Lausanne (canton of Vaud), has initiated its first-in-human clinical trial for VNA-318, an innovative small molecule designed to induce mitophagy, rejuvenate cells, and address neurodegenerative disorders. This milestone brings the company into the clinical stage of development, with Phase 1 trial results anticipated by summer 2025.
VNA-318, an orally available drug, targets novel pathways linked to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. The compound offers a dual mode of action, providing immediate cognitive improvements and long-term benefits, including reduced neuroinflammation, decreased toxic protein aggregation, and enhanced mitochondrial function. These effects have been demonstrated in preclinical models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Toxicity studies have shown the compound to be safe, with a wide therapeutic window, and it is protected under a US-issued patent.
The randomized, double-blind Phase 1 trial evaluates single and multiple ascending doses of VNA-318 in healthy male participants. It aims to assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. The drug is initially being developed for early-stage CNS disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on improving memory and slowing cognitive decline.
Phase 1 trial and future plans
In the company’s press release, Vandria CEO Klaus Dugi emphasized the significance of this step: “We believe VNA-318 has the potential to address critical unmet medical needs in Alzheimer’s and other CNS conditions, bringing hope to patients and their families.”
Backed by a USD 32 million Series A funding round, Vandria plans to advance VNA-318 into efficacy-focused Phase 1b/2a trials by early 2026 while progressing its broader pipeline addressing muscle, lung, and liver diseases. The company intends to raise additional Series B funding in 2025 to support Phase 2 trials and its expanding therapeutic portfolio.
