Company overview / origin story

From discovery to clinical translation

Vectus Biosystems was built on a discovery two decades in the making. Research into vascular biology and the mechanisms underlying chronic fibrotic disease led the team, under the leadership of Dr Karen Duggan, to demonstrate in 2003 that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), a naturally occurring molecule in the human body, was capable of reversing established fibrosis. The company was formed in 2005 to translate that finding into an orally deliverable small-molecule drug.

Today, Vectus is a clinical-stage company focused on advancing its lead compound VB0004 for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive and often fatal lung disease for which no approved therapy has demonstrated the ability to reverse established disease. VB0004 is a first-in-class antifibrotic candidate that acts as a VIP mimetic and NPR-C agonist, a mechanism distinct from all currently approved antifibrotics. In preclinical models, VB0004 reversed established fibrosis in lung, heart and kidney, supported by peer-reviewed published data on the antifibrotic activity of the VIP pathway. Phase 1a clinical studies in healthy volunteers and subjects with mild to moderate hypertension were completed with no significant adverse events and a pharmacokinetic profile consistent with once-daily oral dosing.

Beyond IPF, Vectus is advancing a broader pipeline of antifibrotic assets targeting cardiovascular, renal and hepatic fibrosis. The platform's commercial potential has been externally validated through a licensing agreement with an international biotechnology company for one of Vectus’ earlier pre-clinical stage renal fibrosis assets.

Vectus Biosystems is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: VBS).