VST BIO Secures $45M Series A to Advance First-in-Class Stroke Therapeutic VB-001 into Human Trials
核心洞察
VST BIO Corporation (搜索) closed a $45 million Series A financing led by Coefficient Giving (搜索) to advance its lead stroke therapeutic VB-001 (搜索) into first-in-human studies in 2026.
VB-001 (搜索) is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting vascular inflammation and edema in acute ischemic stroke patients, with demonstrated efficacy in preclinical stroke studies.
The company appointed former Pfizer SVP and CSO William Sessa to its Board of Directors to leverage his decades of experience in translating vascular therapeutics from research to clinical trials.
VST BIO Corporation (搜索), a San Diego-based biotechnology company developing stroke therapeutics, announced the closing of its Series A financing round totaling $45 million since the company's inception in 2020. The financing was led by Coefficient Giving (搜索), a philanthropic funder focused on high-impact scientific and global health initiatives.
The proceeds will enable VST BIO to advance its lead program VB-001 (搜索) into first-in-human studies in 2026, expand its therapeutic platform, and build core development capabilities. VB-001 represents a first-in-class monoclonal antibody targeting vascular inflammation and edema for patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Promising Preclinical Results Drive Clinical Advancement
"We are pleased to have completed this financing to support advancement of VB-001 (搜索) for the benefit of stroke patients," said Krisztina Zsebo Ph.D., CEO and Chairman of the Board of VST BIO. "The positive results of our monoclonal antibody in stroke preclinical studies demonstrated the potential of VB-001 to become an important treatment for patients with acute ischemic stroke."
The therapeutic candidate has demonstrated efficacy across multiple disease models, including stroke and sepsis, with potential applications in reducing cytokine release syndrome in various clinical settings. This broad therapeutic potential positions VB-001 (搜索) as a versatile platform for addressing vascular-related inflammatory conditions.
Strategic Board Addition Strengthens Clinical Development
As part of the financing, VST BIO appointed William Sessa to its Board of Directors, effective March 3, 2026. Sessa brings extensive pharmaceutical industry experience, having most recently served as Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer for Internal Medicine at Pfizer until mid-2025, where he was responsible for programs spanning early-stage discovery through Phase 2b development.
At Pfizer, Sessa initiated innovative programs targeting metabolic-driven cardio-renal syndrome and advanced several new chemical entities into clinical development. He also holds the position of Alfred Gilman Emeritus Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Yale School of Medicine.
"Bill Sessa brings decades of experience in translating vascular therapeutics from basic research to proof-of-concept clinical trials, that will be invaluable as we enter our next phase of growth," said Michael Simons, co-founder of VST BIO. "His insights in drug development will strengthen our ability to deliver on our mission to stroke patients."
First-in-Class Approach to Stroke Treatment
Sessa expressed enthusiasm about joining the company's mission, stating, "I am excited to work with VST BIO who is developing a first in class molecule targeting vascular inflammation in stroke patients. This bold approach, supported by extensive pre-clinical data, has the potential to transform the landscape for patients with this debilitating disease."
VST BIO remains a preclinical-stage biotechnology company focused on vascular diseases, specifically developing first-in-class antibodies targeting edema and inflammation for patients with ischemic stroke. The company's therapeutic approach addresses the critical need for treatments that target the vascular inflammatory response following stroke events, representing a novel mechanism of action in stroke therapeutics.