Transformative therapies for diseases of cardiovascular, neuromuscular and age-related disorders.
At Vasa Therapeutics, we design purpose-built therapeutics that precisely target validated disease mechanisms.
Our discovery approach aligns the right biology with the right chemistry to create first- and best-in-class therapeutic candidates to treat cardiovascular, neuromuscular and age-related disorders.
By focusing on mechanisms with strong clinical relevance, we aim to deliver disease-modifying therapies that provide meaningful, durable outcomes for patients.
At Vasa, we leverage decades of discovery and clinical translation experience to identify the right mechanism, apply the right chemistry, and translate prior learnings into transformative therapies for cardiovascular, neuromuscular and age-related disorders.
Vasa is well-positioned to advance each molecule through a rigorous discovery and validation process designed for precision and improved outcomes.
Our pipeline reflects a commitment to first-in-class innovation – we apply the right chemistry and the right modality to validated mechanisms of action. With this unique approach, and our proprietary know-how and expertise, Vasa is leading the way to create new standards of care.
Vasa has engineered a pipeline of four differentiated assets targeting unmet medical needs in heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, neuromuscular disorders, sarcopenias and life-threatening arrhythmias.
As the number of cardiovascular deaths continues to rise worldwide, Vasa’s pipeline offers the potential to disrupt existing paradigms in premature and pathological aging of the heart, skeletal muscle, and peripheral vasculature.
VS-041
Vasa’s lead program, VS-041, a narrow-spectrum inhibitor of MMP-2 and MMP-9, is being developed for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
Apelin Analogs
Vasa’s long-acting apelin programs targeting peripheral artery disease (PAD), neuromuscular diseases, and sarcopenia, have shown the potential to preserve increase cardiac output, preserve muscle mass and reverse age-related sarcopenia in preclinical models.
Vasa Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company committed to the discovery and development of therapeutics that target the pathophysiology of cardiovascular aging. Vasa has locations in California and Poland, strategically placed in vibrant academic and biotechnology innovation centers.
We are a world-class, founder-led team with an outstanding track record of successful development of numerous clinical candidates and commercial drugs spanning multiple therapeutic areas and modalities resulting in several exits valued at greater than $1B USD.
Artur Plonowski, MD, PhD
CEO, Co-Founder
Mike Geremia
CFO
Benjamin Pratt, PhD
SVP of Chemistry, Co-Founder
Eli Wang
VP of Finance and Operations
Vasa series seed was led by Orphinic Scientific SA, an early-stage investor focused on companies with game-changing potential. The round also included participation from private investments funds NuFund Venture Group, SeedFolio, and others.
Preclinical development and phase I clinical trial of innovative drug candidate for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (POIR.01.01.01-00-1210/19-01).
Value of the project: 13, 220, 234.42 PLN, European Union financing: 10, 186, 082.76 PLN
Development of an Innovative MMP Metalloproteinase Inhibitor as a First-in-Class, Disease-Modifying Drug for MMVD and SAS in Dogs (FENG.01.01-IP.01-A0GW/24-00).
Value of the project: 21, 663, 737.21 PLN, European Union financing: 14, 846, 433.78 PLN
February 12, 2026
Vasa Therapeutics Announces Participation at the 36th Annual Oppenheimer Life Sciences Conference
View Press ReleaseNovember 18, 2025
Vasa Therapeutics Granted FDA Fast Track Designation for VS-041, a Novel Investigational Treatment of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)
View Press ReleaseOctober 13, 2025
Vasa Therapeutics Receives FDA IND Clearance to Advance Novel Small Molecule VS-041 for the Treatment of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF)
View Press ReleaseJune 4, 2025
Vasa Therapeutics Announces Successful Completion of First-in-Human Study for Investigational Therapy VS-041, a Small Molecule Drug Candidate for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fracture
View Press ReleaseSeptember 3, 2024
Vasa Therapeutics Announces Initiation of Phase 1 First in Humans Clinical Trial of VS-041 for the Treatment of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
View Press ReleaseJanuary 3, 2024
Vasa Therapeutics Announces Closing of Seed Financing to Advance Novel Therapies for Diseases of Cardiovascular Aging
View Press ReleaseOctober 18, 2022
Vasa Therapeutics Announces Upcoming Presentations at AHA Scientific Sessions 2022
View Press ReleaseVS-041, a narrow-spectrum, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor and novel drug candidate for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), demonstrates target engagement and is safe and well-tolerated in healthy participants
Digital Slide Presentation at American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2025 | November 7-10, 2025
View PublicationInhibition of Cardiac Fibrosis and Pro-Fibrotic Collagen Hormone Endotrophin by VS-041, a Novel Drug Candidate for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Poster Presentation at American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2024 | November 16-18, 2024
US Headquarters
Vasa Therapeutics, Inc.
533 2nd Street, Suite 350
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-230-3398
Poland Lab and Office
Vasa Therapeutics Sp. z o.o.
ul. Duńska 9 lok. 2/23
54-427 Wrocław, Poland
+48 577-052-420
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