A drug that has shown promise in the treatment of cardiovascular disease will now be evaluated for effectiveness in healing wounds, thanks to a joint capital investment. SironRX Therapeutics has received a $500,000 investment from Cleveland Clinic and JumpStart Ventures. The money will allow SironRX to continue evaluations on its lead drug, JVS-100, which contains an engineered version of a naturally occurring molecular factor called Stromal cell-Derived Factor-1 (SDF-1). SDF-1 promotes tissue repair.

"This investment will allow SironRX to make significant progress toward initiation of a Phase II clinical study evaluating the potential for JVS-100 to accelerate dermal wound repair and reduce scarring," says Rahul Aras, CEO of SironRX. "JVS-100 is already being evaluated for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, and it is exciting to broaden the scope of therapeutic potential for this drug."

SironRX is an offshoot of Juventas Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company developing regenerative therapies to treat life-threatening diseases. Juventas licensed JVS-100's intellectual property from Cleveland Clinic in 2007. Aras also serves as CEO of Juventas.

SOURCE: Rahul Aras
WRITER: Diane DiPiero