Our Companies
Pahr Therapeutics, Inc.
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- CEO：
- Neil Buckley
COMPANY PROFILE
Developing Curative Therapies for PAH
Pahr Therapeutics is a biotech startup focused on developing curative treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a severe and progressive condition caused by narrowing or obstruction of pulmonary arteries, ultimately leading to right heart failure. Despite recent therapeutic advances, most existing treatments rely heavily on vasodilation and offer only symptomatic relief. These therapies fall short in halting or reversing disease progression, and thus provide limited long-term benefit.
Pahr Therapeutics was founded on decades of foundational research led by Dr. Yoshikazu Nakaoka and his team at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center (NCVC) in Japan. The company aims to identify and target the key molecular drivers of PAH—such as vascular remodeling, chronic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction—through precision drug discovery. By directly intervening in these core mechanisms, Pahr is working toward a fundamentally new class of therapies that go beyond symptom management and have the potential to modify the course of the disease itself.
Pahr Therapeutics was founded on decades of foundational research led by Dr. Yoshikazu Nakaoka and his team at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center (NCVC) in Japan. The company aims to identify and target the key molecular drivers of PAH—such as vascular remodeling, chronic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction—through precision drug discovery. By directly intervening in these core mechanisms, Pahr is working toward a fundamentally new class of therapies that go beyond symptom management and have the potential to modify the course of the disease itself.
COMPANY STORY
Origin
Based on the pathological research on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) conducted by Dr. Yoshikazu Nakaoka at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center (NCVC), it was revealed that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathway is involved in the progression of the disease. This discovery led to the conception of a novel therapeutic strategy targeting this pathway. By combining two existing drugs with established clinical safety, it was determined that both disease-modifying effects and accelerated development could be achieved. This ultimately led to the founding of Pahr Therapeutics.
Strength
Current treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are largely palliative, relying on vasodilation to relieve symptoms without addressing the underlying disease mechanisms. Pahr Therapeutics distinguishes itself by focusing on the fundamental molecular drivers of PAH—such as vascular remodeling, chronic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction—based on extensive research conducted at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Japan. By targeting these mechanisms from the early stages of drug discovery, the company aims to develop truly disease-modifying therapies. This approach enables Pahr to address unmet medical needs that current therapies fail to reach.
UTEC’s value add
UTEC identified the commercial potential in the founding researchers’ therapeutic concept and proposed the formation of the company. In the process leading up to the launch, UTEC helped establish a co-investment structure with global investors, including major U.S.-based VCs. In addition to supporting the startup process, UTEC also assisted in formulating the intellectual property strategy and building a collaborative framework with the academic institutions.
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National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center (NCVC)
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