Resident Companies in Action: KeViRx
July 19, 2023
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In this month’s edition of Resident Companies in Action, the team at Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS (JLABS) @ Washington, DC spoke with Dr. Elizabeth Sharlow, CEO and co-founder of KeViRx.
KeViRx, a resident company of JLABS @ Washington, DC, and BLUE KNIGHT™, a joint initiative between JLABS and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), emerged as a spin-off from the University of Virginia in 2016, driven by the shared vision of Dr. Sharlow and her co-founders, Drs. John S. Lazo and Peter Wipf. The trio had been collaborating for over 20 years in phosphatase drug discovery when they embarked on a mission to commercialize a small molecule technology targeting the PTP4A3 phosphatase for pulmonary microvascular leakage and inflammation during acute lung injury (ALI).
With approximately 200,000 ALI patients diagnosed annually in the United States, the founders recognized the urgent need to combat this debilitating condition. ALI patients face a mortality rate of 40 percent, while survivors will potentially be confronted with decreased quality of life, lung fibrosis, or the need for costly lung transplantations.
Initially focusing on oncology, KeViRx soon realized that their lead asset, KVX-053, held potential to address various conditions, including ALI. KVX-053 targets endothelial barrier dysfunction, a central aspect of ALI and several other diseases.
“Currently, there are no FDA approved drugs for ALI and, as a result, we are aiming to fill a significant unmet medical need. KVX-053 is a first-in-class small molecule and is host-directed,” Sharlow says.
KeViRx’s path to success was not without its challenges. The initial hurdle of limited laboratory space was overcome through their residency at JLABS @ Washington, DC, a crucial factor in advancing their research. However, like many startups, the team have had to navigate the delicate balance of fundraising while moving their technology through the drug development pipeline.
“As innovators, we have had to be agile in research and business as well as aware of what opportunities we can leverage to move our assets forward,” Sharlow says.
Despite the complexities of the investor and funding landscape, KeViRx has benefited from NIH SBIR grants and other non-dilutive funding sources. Their participation in the NIH I-Corps program helped them gain valuable insights and identify their target audience: critical care physicians treating ALI patients. KeViRx has just started its seed fundraising activities to develop KVX-053 through IND-enabling studies and looks forward to connecting with investors and potential strategic partners.
As residents of JLABS @ Washington, DC, KeViRx has gained access to an extensive network of drug development expertise and opportunities for collaboration. Their affiliation as a BLUE KNIGHT™ company has further enhanced KeViRx’s visibility and provided many additional benefits and opportunities. Recently, the 2023 BLUE KNIGHT™ Symposium provided a platform to showcase their achievements and foster connections with other innovators in the JLABS community.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Sharlow provided valuable advice for all early-stage entrepreneurs:
“Be creative, flexible and opportunistic. Stay positive and keep a good sense of humor. And network, network, network.”
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KeViRx is a resident company of Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS @ Washington, DC and BLUE KNIGHT™, which unleash the potential of innovators’ early scientific discoveries by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure (lab and offices), assigning a mentor to provide guidance, offering access to the investor community, and delivering training program to support startup executives. Interested in learning more? Connect with our team to discuss incubation, collaboration, or investment opportunities.
Disclaimer: The information in this interview is for informational purposes only. The information is either proprietary or licensed to Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC, its parent company or any affiliate companies (“JJI”) or is provided by or proprietary to third parties. In case of third-party information, please note that only those third parties that provided or own this information are responsible for it. By providing this information, JJI is not affiliated with nor endorses these third parties or any of the information provided in this interview. This content is not intended to influence the use, sale, recommendation, or promotion of any products or services of JJI. JJI is not responsible or liable for any actions you do or do not take in relation to this information and are not responsible for any use of this information by you. By providing the information in this interview, JJI does not make any representations, warranties, or assurances, express or implied, as to the content or the information presented in this interview and is not responsible for any use by or alterations of this information by you. JJI hereby expressly disclaims any and all guarantees, representations, warranties, or assurances and assumes no responsibility or liability, direct or indirect, in relation to the information in this interview.
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