Alternative Approaches are Needed
Validus is developing a next-generation approach to treat bacterial infections. Small molecule chemical antibiotics have fail, and producing more antibiotics will have the same result.
Infections Become Untreatable by Evading Immunity
Validus is pioneering discoveries in the field of cellular therapy to treat infections by overcoming bacteria's mechanisms of hiding from the host's immune system.
The Future of Human Antibacterial Therapy
Validus' lead product, an IV infused allogeneic cell therapy, is advancing to clinical trials soon.
Proposed Mechanism of Action
Activating Innate Immune Response in MSCs Stimulates Healing
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are precursor cells for many of the tissue cells that make up our body. Tissue cells in our body have the responsibility to recognize and signal a response by the innate immune system when foreign invaders are present. Tissue cells use pattern-recognition receptors to recognize invaders and cytokines to signal innate immune response. Validus has found and described the ability to artificially stimulate the same innate immune response to bacterial infection through pre-activation of MSCs. The activated MSC are then able to seek infection and move to the site of infection. There they release natural antimicrobial peptides and cytokines that recruit immune cells like phagocytes to engulf bacteria and initiate healing.
Background Research
Pet Dogs Cured from Resistant Infection
Pet Dogs Cured from Resistant Infection
Pet Dogs Cured from Resistant Infection
Validus' initial discovery started in the laboratory of Dr. Steven Dow, a renowned veterinary scientist at Colorado State University.
Cells Migrate to Infection
Pet Dogs Cured from Resistant Infection
Pet Dogs Cured from Resistant Infection
Unactivated mesenchymal stem cells have failed as therapeutics previously due to inability to locate to functional sites. Validus' activated MSCs migrate the to infection.
Recruitment of Immune Cells
Pet Dogs Cured from Resistant Infection
Infection Clean-up by Immune Cells
Activated mesenchymal stem cells recruit professional immune cells to the site of the infection to improve clearance.
Infection Clean-up by Immune Cells
Responding Immune Cells Stimulate Healing
Infection Clean-up by Immune Cells
Professional immune cells responding to infection, neutrophils, are more active engulfing bacteria when stimulated by activated mesenchymal stem cells.
Treatment of Chronic Infections in Mice
Responding Immune Cells Stimulate Healing
Responding Immune Cells Stimulate Healing
Human activated mesenchymal stem cells were used to treat a chronic S. aureus infection in study mice.
Responding Immune Cells Stimulate Healing
Responding Immune Cells Stimulate Healing
Responding Immune Cells Stimulate Healing
Activated mesenchymal stem cells recruit more "M2 polarity" macrophage (green) compared to "M1 polarity" macrophage (red). M2 macrophage are responsible for tissue repair and rebuilding whereas M1 macrophage result in breakdown and inflammation.
Validus Team
Ethan Mann, PhD, MBA
Ethan Mann, PhD, MBA
Ethan Mann, PhD, MBA
Co-Founder and CEO, Director
Startup executive, infectious disease expert, experienced product development specialist, MBA in finance, Exit experience
Dave Desmond, eMBA
Ethan Mann, PhD, MBA
Ethan Mann, PhD, MBA
CFO
Startup executive, Financial expert, Growth and Strategy expert, Exit experience
Doug Looker, PhD
Ethan Mann, PhD, MBA
Steven Dow, PhD, DVM, MS
Vice President of Operations
Pharma manufacturing, Regulatory,
Clinical Development, Production GMP
Steven Dow, PhD, DVM, MS
Steven Dow, PhD, DVM, MS
Steven Dow, PhD, DVM, MS
Co-Founder and CSO, Director
Serial entrepreneur, Inventor, Startup expert, Immunologist
Frank Barry, PhD
Steven Dow, PhD, DVM, MS
Mike Handley, MBA
Director
Cell therapy expert, MSC product developer and researcher
Mike Handley, MBA
Steven Dow, PhD, DVM, MS
Mike Handley, MBA
Director
Cell therapy expert, MSC product developer and researcher
Lee Buckler, JD
Jason Stoneback, MD
Laura Damioli, MD
Advisor
Cell therapy expert, Experienced executive, investor, advisor, product development spexcialist
Laura Damioli, MD
Jason Stoneback, MD
Laura Damioli, MD
Advisor
Infectious disease specialist
Jason Stoneback, MD
Jason Stoneback, MD
Aline Betancourt, PhD
Advisor
Cell therapy expert, MSC product developer and researcher
Aline Betancourt, PhD
Aline Betancourt, PhD
Aline Betancourt, PhD
Advisor
Cell therapy expert, MSC product developer and researcher
