Celladon Corporation
Celladon Corporation is a company.
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Leadership Team
Key people at Celladon Corporation.
Celladon Corporation is a company.
Key people at Celladon Corporation.
Celladon Corporation was a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing gene therapies targeting SERCA enzymes to address calcium dysregulation in cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart failure.[1][2][4] Its lead product, MYDICAR (AAV1/SERCA2a), aimed to restore deficient SERCA2a enzyme levels in advanced heart failure patients via a single intracoronary infusion, serving NYHA class III/IV patients with limited treatment options and potentially reducing hospitalizations.[1][4] The company also pursued preclinical programs like mSCF gene therapy for cardiac diseases and small molecule SERCA2b modulators for diabetes and neurodegenerative conditions, but all were discontinued following MYDICAR's Phase 2b failure.[3][7]
Celladon achieved early milestones like FDA breakthrough therapy designation for MYDICAR in 2014 and scaled manufacturing to 2,000 liters with Lonza, positioning it as a gene therapy leader.[1][4] However, after the CUPID 2 trial missed endpoints in 2015, it halted R&D, cut staff by 50%, and sought a buyer, ultimately merging with Eiger BioPharmaceuticals in 2016.[3][8]
Founded around 2004-2005 (with CEO Krisztina Zsebo leading for a decade until 2015), Celladon emerged from research on SERCA2a deficiencies in heart failure, building on academic insights into calcium regulation's role in cardiac dysfunction.[1][3] Zsebo, a biotech veteran, drove the company's focus on cardiovascular gene therapy, differentiating it from rare disease targets by tackling common heart failure affecting millions.[1][3] Early traction included Phase 2a successes, FDA breakthrough designation in 2014, and a 2012 IPO (Nasdaq: CLDN), with investments from firms like LSP (EQT portfolio, entry 2012, exit 2015).[4][5]
Pivotal moments were completing enrollment in the 250-patient CUPID 2 Phase 2b trial in 2014 and scaling MYDICAR production, but the 2015 trial failure led to leadership change (Zsebo resigned, Paul Cleveland as interim CEO) and shutdown preparations.[1][3]
These edged Celladon in the gene therapy field, though clinical setbacks underscored execution risks.[3]
Celladon rode the early 2010s gene therapy resurgence, targeting prevalent heart failure (vs. rare diseases) amid advances in AAV vectors and calcium biology insights.[1][3][4] Timing aligned with FDA's 2012-2015 support for breakthroughs, influencing ecosystem by proving scalability for common conditions and highlighting manufacturing challenges.[1][4] It spurred investor interest in cardio gene therapies (e.g., via LSP/EQT) but its 2015 failure tempered hype, shifting focus to rarer indications and better endpoints, while assets like cash reserves informed post-merger strategies in biotech M&A.[3][5][8]
Celladon's arc—from gene therapy pioneer to merger—closed in 2016 with Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, liquidating assets and ending independent operations.[3][8] No ongoing activity under the name; its IP and ~$25-30M cash likely fueled Eiger's pivot. Trends like refined AAV delivery and AI-driven trial design could revive SERCA concepts, but Celladon's legacy warns of Phase 2b risks in cardio. Influence endures in manufacturing precedents, tying back to its manufacturing scale-up as a foundational, if unrealized, biotech milestone.[1][3]
Key people at Celladon Corporation.
