Vasomune Therapeutics to Present Late-Breaking Research on AV-001 at the 2025 American Thoracic Society International Conference
Vasomune Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics to address diseases driven by vascular dysfunction, today announced its participation in the 2025 American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference. The company is scheduled to present a Late-Breaking scientific poster on May 21, 2025, during the premier global gathering of respiratory health professionals. The conference will take place from May 16 to 21 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California.
At the center of Vasomune’s presentation is AV-001, its lead clinical candidate and a first-in-class synthetic PEGylated peptide that targets and activates the Tie2 receptor, a key regulator of vascular health. The poster, titled “Synthetic Tie2 Agonist AV-001 Protects Against Endothelial Cell Permeability Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Infection/COVID-19”, will be presented during the “Late-Breaking Advances in Pulmonary Vascular Disease” session, highlighting recent advances in understanding and treating vascular complications in respiratory diseases.
A Novel Approach to Treating Vascular Complications in Pulmonary Disease
Vasomune’s scientific focus is centered around endothelial dysfunction — a core pathological feature of many critical illnesses, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, and severe viral or bacterial pneumonia. These conditions often involve a breakdown in the endothelial barrier, leading to leakage of fluid into the lungs, inflammation, and ultimately, organ failure. Current treatment options for these conditions are largely supportive and fail to directly address the underlying vascular instability that exacerbates patient outcomes.
AV-001, Vasomune’s proprietary drug candidate, represents a new therapeutic paradigm. It is a fully synthetic PEGylated peptide designed to activate the Tie2 receptor, part of the endothelial-specific Angiopoietin-Tie2 signaling pathway. Tie2 activation is essential for maintaining endothelial cell stability and vascular integrity. By targeting this receptor, AV-001 has the potential to restore vascular function, reduce inflammation, and limit tissue damage during severe infections and other causes of ARDS.
Preclinical studies have demonstrated that AV-001 can protect endothelial cells from the increased permeability and inflammation typically caused by viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2. These protective effects support the drug’s potential to improve outcomes in patients suffering from pneumonia — whether viral or bacterial in origin — by directly intervening in the cascade that leads to vascular leakage and respiratory failure.
Highlighting AV-001 at the 2025 ATS Conference
The ATS International Conference is one of the most respected events in the pulmonary and critical care medicine community, bringing together thousands of scientists, clinicians, and industry leaders from around the world. The conference serves as a platform for presenting cutting-edge research, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and accelerating the development of new diagnostics and treatments.
Vasomune’s Late-Breaking poster presentation will take place during a highly anticipated scientific session:
- Session Title: Late-Breaking Advances in Pulmonary Vascular Disease: Basic Science, Translational, and Clinical Advancements
- Poster Number: 907
- Poster Title: Synthetic Tie2 Agonist AV-001 Protects Against Endothelial Cell Permeability Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Infection/COVID-19
- Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
- Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Pacific Time
- Location: Room 3009/3011, West Building, Level 3, Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
The data presented will build upon previous preclinical and early-phase clinical research suggesting that AV-001 can stabilize vascular function in settings of inflammatory insult. The presentation will showcase results indicating the compound’s ability to maintain endothelial barrier function in the presence of SARS-CoV-2, a significant cause of morbidity and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its vascular complications.
Attendees will also gain insights into the ongoing Phase 2a clinical trial, AV001-004, which is being conducted in collaboration with co-development partner AnGes Inc. and is supported by the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP). This study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of AV-001 in patients hospitalized with bacterial and viral pneumonia — populations that are at high risk for developing ARDS and other life-threatening complications.
AV-001: From Mechanism to Medicine
The development of AV-001 is rooted in a deep understanding of vascular biology. The Tie2 receptor, found exclusively on endothelial cells, plays a pivotal role in maintaining vascular stability and responding to stress signals during infection and injury. Under normal conditions, Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) binds to Tie2, promoting anti-inflammatory and barrier-stabilizing effects. However, during illness, the expression of Angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) increases, which antagonizes Ang1 and contributes to vascular leakage, inflammation, and immune cell infiltration.
AV-001 is designed to mimic Ang1’s stabilizing effects while avoiding the complexities of recombinant protein therapies. By delivering a synthetic Tie2 agonist in a PEGylated form, the drug achieves both high bioavailability and prolonged systemic exposure — features that are critical for therapeutic use in acute care settings.
Clinical Development and Strategic Partnerships
With encouraging preclinical data and early human safety data already in hand, Vasomune is rapidly advancing the clinical development of AV-001. The ongoing Phase 2a trial, AV001-004, represents a major milestone for the company. Conducted at leading hospitals in North America, the trial is enrolling patients diagnosed with bacterial and viral pneumonia who are at risk of developing ARDS — a leading cause of mortality in hospitalized patients.
The company’s partnership with AnGes Inc., a Japan-based biopharmaceutical firm, has provided both scientific expertise and financial support to accelerate AV-001’s development. In addition, the backing of the CDMRP — an initiative of the U.S. Department of Defense — underscores the potential of AV-001 not just in civilian healthcare but also in military medicine, where rapid-response treatments for respiratory illness and trauma are critically needed.
A Commitment to Innovation in Vascular Health
As the world continues to grapple with the long-term health consequences of COVID-19 and prepare for future respiratory pandemics, the need for innovative therapies that address the root causes of critical illness is more urgent than ever. Vasomune’s work on AV-001 exemplifies a shift toward mechanistically targeted interventions that go beyond symptom management and aim to prevent disease escalation at the molecular level.
“Our mission at Vasomune is to develop therapeutics that improve outcomes in diseases driven by vascular dysfunction,” said [Spokesperson Name], CEO of Vasomune Therapeutics. “AV-001 is uniquely positioned to address unmet needs in the treatment of pneumonia and ARDS, and we look forward to sharing our latest findings with the global respiratory health community at the ATS 2025 conference.”
Following the conclusion of the ATS International Conference, presentation materials from the poster session will be made available on Vasomune’s website at https://vasomune.com/.
Vasomune Therapeutics is a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The company is focused on developing innovative medicines to treat diseases caused by endothelial dysfunction and vascular leak. Its lead candidate, AV-001, is being investigated as a potential treatment for pneumonia, ARDS, sepsis, and other serious conditions. Vasomune’s mission is to restore and protect vascular integrity to improve outcomes in critical illness.
