Vima Therapeutics Debuts Oral Therapy for Dystonia and Movement Disorders

Vima Therapeutics, a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has launched with a $60 million Series A financing round led by Atlas Venture, with contributions from Access Industries and Canaan. The company is dedicated to developing oral therapies for movement disorders, particularly focusing on dystonia, a condition characterized by involuntary muscle contractions. This investment will propel the advancement of Vima's lead candidate, VIM0423, which is undergoing a Phase 1 clinical trial and is anticipated to enter Phase 2 by the fourth quarter of 2025.

Vima Therapeutics was founded by a team of seasoned professionals in the medical and scientific field, including Bernard Ravina, MD, MS, who serves as the chief executive officer. Dr. Ravina has over 25 years of experience in drug development, having worked in government, academia, and the industry, with a specialization in movement disorders. His leadership is complemented by Judith Dunn, PhD, the president and head of research and development, who brings over 30 years of experience in drug development, notably as the global head of clinical development at Roche.

Dr. Ravina's motivation for advancing VIM0423 stems from his experience as a neurologist treating dystonia, where he observed the substantial impact the condition has on patients' lives. Currently, no treatments effectively address the root cause of dystonia, leaving many patients to endure symptoms that considerably diminish their quality of life. Vima Therapeutics aims to fill this gap by developing a safe and effective oral treatment that targets the underlying cause in the central nervous system.

Dystonia is a chronic and disabling condition that can occur in both adults and children, affecting over one million individuals in the United States. Isolated dystonia, where it is the primary neurological symptom, affects more than 100,000 people nationwide. The company's leading candidate, VIM0423, targets muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the brain. While drugs targeting these receptors are used clinically for movement disorders, they often suffer from poor tolerability, leading to limited efficacy. VIM0423 aims to overcome these limitations with enhanced pharmacology, efficacy, and safety.

David Grayzel, MD, co-founder and chair of Vima’s board of directors, emphasized that Vima was established with the specific aim of transforming the lives of individuals with dystonia. He highlighted the exceptional team assembled by Dr. Ravina and Dr. Dunn, indicating the potential of VIM0423 to become a groundbreaking new medicine.

The executive team at Vima Therapeutics is further strengthened by experienced industry professionals such as Jessica Fees, the chief financial officer, Ariel D. Jasie, JD, the chief business officer and general counsel, and Tushar Misra, PhD, the chief technical officer. Each brings a wealth of experience from their respective fields, contributing to Vima's strategic and operational capabilities.

Vima Therapeutics is committed to pioneering a new approach to treating dystonia and related movement disorders. By focusing on oral therapies that target the root cause of these conditions, the company seeks to improve the quality of life for those affected. Their flagship product, VIM0423, represents a promising step forward in achieving this goal, with a strong foundation built upon the expertise and dedication of its founding team and partners.