Vanessa Biotech, Inc
News

Vanessa Research, Inc., a Quinnipiac University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alumnus, Announces Treatment for Cholera

Vanessa Research, Inc. (VRI), an emerging healthcare and biotech company, announced today that it has developed a novel therapy to neutralize the lethal diarrhea induced by the cholera toxin.

Back to the open positions
April 20, 2018 - Hamden, Connecticut

Vanessa Research, Inc. (VRI), an emerging healthcare and biotech company, announced today that it has developed a novel therapy to neutralize the lethal diarrhea induced by the cholera toxin.

According to the World Health Organization, cholera is an acute diarrheal infection that remains a global threat to public health and an indicator of inequity and lack of social development. Researchers have estimated that every year, there are roughly 1.3 to 4.0 million cases, and 21,000 to 143,000 deaths worldwide due to cholera.1

On December 23, 2017, the company confirmed its new formulation, Hunazine™, as a treatment for cholera. This discovery, of a treatment for a global threat, is a result of the drug development for the ultra-rare microvillus inclusion disease (MVID).

Lead scientist Dr. Ludmila Kvochina said, “We are now working to safely and efficiently deliver the drug to the site of action in the intestine.” She continued: “The company has expanded its basic-science research capabilities and has committed significant resources to make the discovery whole by the end of 2018.”

In 2017 VRI, an alumnus of the Quinnipiac Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, was issued its first patent on a formulation, Shylicine™, to treat MVID, a devastating and rare terminal pediatric disease. Ronak Patel, a pre-med student from the class of 2018 said: “I have an opportunity to participate in the
cutting-edge research on cholera and witness the rapid development of VRI. It’s hard to overestimate this, truly one-of-a-kind, experience.”

“The majority of those involved are QU alumni,” said Billy Chang, a health sciences major from the class of 2015 and a VRI employee, “and it makes us proud to be making this type of contribution to society.”

About Vanessa Research
Vanessa Research is based in Hamden, Connecticut. VRI was founded on the desire to build a 21st century, sustainable, innovative, entrepreneurial organization by bringing together a collection of diverse scientists, engineers, business professionals and academics to create solutions in medicine. Since 2016 the company has become a part of a Hamden-based incubator called The Garage.

About the Quinnipiac Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship exists to support the  ntrepreneurial spirit at Quinnipiac University. Through several resources and programs for students, faculty, and alumni, the Center aims to turn ideas into viable business solutions.

1Updated global burden of cholera in endemic countries. Ali M, Nelson AR, Lopez AL, Sack D. (2015). PLoS Negl Trop Dis 9(6): e0003832. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0003832.

Shylicine and Hunazine are trademarks and copyrights of Vanessa Research, Inc.

Stay connected

Subscribe to receive updates on our research, product development, and new initiatives.


You have the right to withdraw your consent by unsubscribing at any time.