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§ Private Profile · Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. Weinbergweg 22 06120 Halle (Saale) Germany
Vivoryon Therapeutics is a technology company.
Vivoryon Therapeutics is a precision medicine company developing innovative small molecule-based therapies, primarily targeting inflammatory and fibrotic disorders. The company's core technical approach centers on modulating the activity and stability of pathologically altered proteins by inhibiting specific post-translational modifications. Their lead candidate, varoglutamstat, an orally administered glutaminyl cyclase inhibitor, is currently being advanced for kidney disease based on encouraging Phase 2 clinical data.
The company was founded on July 25, 1997, as ProBioTec GmbH by Hans-Ulrich Demuth and Konrad Glund. They established the firm with the vision to identify and develop drug candidates by leveraging a deep understanding of biological mechanisms and pathologic pathways. This foundational insight into protein modification led to the company's evolution, first into Probiodrug AG in 2001, and subsequently into Vivoryon Therapeutics in 2018.
Vivoryon Therapeutics aims to serve patients impacted by severe diseases with limited treatment options, with a current focus on kidney disease. The company's long-term vision is to improve patient outcomes by successfully bringing novel small molecule medicines through clinical development and regulatory approval, thereby making these therapies available to address significant unmet medical needs in various disease areas.
Vivoryon Therapeutics has raised $92.4M across 3 funding rounds.
Vivoryon Therapeutics has raised $92.4M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Vivoryon Therapeutics has raised $92.4M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Vivoryon Therapeutics's investors include BB Biotech, Biogen Idec New Ventures, GoodVent, HBM Healthcare Investments, LSP, TVM Capital, Wellington Management, Andera Partners, Dallas Webb, Rossella Medori, CFH Group, IBG Sachsen-Anhalt.
Vivoryon Therapeutics has raised $92.4M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $19.4M Other Equity in January 2012.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4, 2012 | $19.4M Venture Round | — | BB Biotech, Biogen Idec NEW Ventures, Goodvent, HBM Healthcare Investments, LSP, TVM Capital, Wellington Management | Announced |
| Jan 1, 2012 | $19M Series U | — | Andera Partners | Announced |
| Nov 1, 2009 | $54M Series B | Dallas Webb | Andera Partners, Rossella Medori, CFH Group, HBM Healthcare Investments, IBG Sachsen Anhalt, Jörg Neermann, TVM Capital | Announced |
Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing small molecule-based medicines targeting post-translational modifications of proteins implicated in age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD).[1][2][4] Its lead candidate, varoglutamstat (PQ912), is an oral inhibitor of glutaminyl cyclases (QPCT/QPCTL) advancing in trials for diabetic kidney disease (DKD) stage 3b and worse, alongside earlier work in Alzheimer's and a pipeline including VY2149, NCE, and antibody approaches like PBD-C06.[1][2][4] The company serves patients with neurodegenerative, inflammatory, fibrotic, and oncologic conditions through precision therapies that modulate pathologically altered proteins, addressing unmet needs in disease progression with ~14 employees based in Halle, Germany.[1][3][4]
Founded in 1997 in Halle, Germany (with Dutch incorporation), Vivoryon Therapeutics built its foundation on over 20 years of expertise in post-translational modifying enzymes, creating a discovery engine for small molecule therapeutics that first succeeded in type 2 diabetes.[1][3][4] The idea emerged from deep scientific understanding of enzymes like QPCT and QPCTL that drive disease via pyroglutamate formation, leading to pivotal programs in Alzheimer's (e.g., PQ912 completing Phase IIb) and expansions into CKD, oncology, fibrosis, and acute kidney injury.[1][2][3][4] Key leadership includes CEO Frank Weber (since 2023, CMO since 2010 with 30+ years in pharma), CFO Anne Doering (CFA charterholder with Wharton MBA), and CBO Michael Schaeffer (serial biotech founder of CRELUX, SiREEN, and CRENANO).[5]
Vivoryon rides the wave of precision medicine in age-related diseases, targeting protein dysregulation via post-translational mods amid rising Alzheimer's (affecting millions globally) and CKD/DKD burdens driven by aging populations and diabetes epidemics.[1][2][4] Timing aligns with advances in enzyme inhibition and biomarker validation, bolstered by partnerships amplifying reach in high-unmet-need areas like neurodegeneration and fibrosis where few oral small molecules compete.[1][3] Market forces favor it through regulatory pushes for innovative therapies (e.g., FDA/EMA orphan designations possible for rare kidney subtypes) and biotech M&A trends, positioning Vivoryon to influence ecosystem shifts toward multi-indication modulators of shared pathological pathways.[2][4]
Vivoryon is poised for clinical readouts on varoglutamstat in CKD/DKD, potentially unlocking Phase III and partnerships, while expanding Meprin inhibitors and oncology assets amid booming demand for protein-stabilizing therapies.[2][4] Trends like AI-driven target discovery and combo regimens for fibrosis/cancer will shape its path, with influence growing via licensing deals if data de-risks the platform. As a nimble player correcting the user's tech mislabeling—it's pure biotech—this positions Vivoryon to deliver first-in-class impact in severe diseases.[1][3]