NuvOx Therapeutics is a Tucson, Arizona–based clinical-stage biotechnology company developing NanO2, a first-in-class oxygen therapeutic platform to treat diseases where hypoxia is a driver. NanO2 is designed to improve oxygen flow from lungs to blood and from blood to tissue and has shown therapeutic effect in over 30 animal studies across seven indications. Positive clinical efficacy was demonstrated in two completed Phase Ib/IIa studies—as a radiosensitizer in glioblastoma multiforme and as a neuroprotectant in stroke—and the program has safety data in more than 2,000 subjects. NuvOx has commenced a Phase IIb glioblastoma multiforme trial in the United States and is preparing two additional clinical trials slated for late 2023. The program holds Orphan Drug Designation for glioblastoma multiforme and sickle cell disease and was reported to be the most effective oxygen therapeutic among 74 clinical-stage compounds. The company has attracted $14 million in non-dilutive funding from the NIH, Department of Defense and other government funders and recently completed a bridge round in which VisionTech Angels invested $196,500 following a $10.4 million Series A. NuvOx Pharma develops an intravenous oxygen-delivery platform based on dodecafluoropentane emulsion (DDFPe), a contrasting agent repurposed to deliver O2 to hypoxic tissues. Its lead program is poised to enter Phase 2 trials in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) to restore tumor oxygenation and improve response to cancer therapies. Additional programs target acute stroke neuroprotection and treatment of sickle cell crises, and the company positions DDFPe as a platform for multiple hypoxia-related indications. The DDFPe formulation was previously approved in Europe and used in roughly 2,200 patients; FDA has granted permission to reference that historical data for new indications. Financially, NuvOx has not taken venture capital — it has raised $6 million from angel investors, including the Desert Angels, and supplemented that with grants from the NIH, the State of Arkansas, the Arizona Commerce Authority, the military, and other sources. To conserve cash the company uses capital-efficient practices: employees accept equity as part of compensation, the CEO has worked for equity, and company rent has been paid in equity.

Total raised

$6M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Jan 2024