NuvOx Pharma

NuvOx Pharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology company, founded in 2008 and based in Tucson, Arizona, that is developing a first-in-class oxygen therapeutic platform. The company's work focuses on reversing tissue hypoxia, a condition where cells do not receive enough oxygen, which is a contributing factor in many life-threatening diseases. NuvOx was co-founded by Dr. Evan C. Unger and Dr. Jennifer Johnson. Dr. Unger is a serial entrepreneur and board-certified radiologist who previously founded two other biotech companies, one of which developed three FDA-approved drugs and was acquired by DuPont. His research on microbubbles led to the discovery that they could carry significantly more oxygen than liquids, forming the basis for NuvOx's technology. Dr. Johnson contributes over 20 years of experience in R&D and regulatory affairs, specializing in pharmacokinetics and formulation.

The company's lead product candidate, NanO2™, is an injectable drug composed of dodecafluoropentane nanobubbles that captures oxygen in the lungs and transports it to oxygen-deprived tissues. This platform technology is designed to be synergistic with existing standards of care, enhancing their effectiveness. The business model centers on advancing NanO2™ through clinical trials to gain regulatory approval for various indications. The primary customers are comprehensive care centers for oncology, stroke, and respiratory illnesses, with a long-term strategy of partnering with large pharmaceutical companies for global commercialization.

NanO2™ has demonstrated a therapeutic effect in over 30 animal studies and has shown positive safety and efficacy data in completed Phase Ib/IIa human trials for glioblastoma (a type of brain cancer) and acute ischemic stroke. As a radiosensitizer, it aims to make cancer cells more susceptible to radiation and chemotherapy by increasing tumor oxygen levels. For stroke patients, it acts as a neuroprotectant, preserving brain tissue until blood flow can be restored. The company is advancing its clinical programs, with a Phase IIb trial underway for glioblastoma in the U.S. and another Phase IIb trial for stroke planned to begin in the U.K. in 2025. NuvOx has received significant non-dilutive funding from organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and BARDA, and has also raised capital from various angel investor groups.

Keywords: oxygen therapeutic, hypoxia treatment, clinical-stage biotechnology, NanO2, dodecafluoropentane, glioblastoma treatment, ischemic stroke therapy, radiosensitizer, neuroprotectant, nanobubble technology, Evan Unger, injectable oxygen, cancer treatment, brain cancer research, drug discovery, pharmaceutical development, BARDA funding, NIH grants, Arizona biotech, perfluorocarbon emulsion, tissue oxygenation, stroke neuroprotection, oncology therapeutics, respiratory distress treatment, clinical trials