Vanqua Bio applies human genetics and patient-derived neuronal cell models to discover and develop therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. Its lead program focuses on small-molecule activators of glucocerebrosidase (GCase) to address Parkinson’s disease and all forms of Gaucher disease. The company also advances programs targeting overactivation of the innate immune system, including small-molecule and antisense oligonucleotide approaches for ALS and Alzheimer’s disease. Vanqua plans to advance its best-in-class GCase activators into human testing within the next two years. The company was founded in 2019, is headquartered in Chicago near Northwestern University’s Krainc Laboratory, and describes itself as patient-founded. Leadership includes CEO and co-founder Jim Sullivan, CSO Kevin Hunt, and scientific co-founder Dimitri Krainc.

Total raised

$85M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Series B

Latest activity

Sep 2021