Our Approach
Coronary artery disease (CAD), characterized by blood flow‑limiting atherosclerotic lesions in the epicardial coronary vasculature, causes inadequate cardiac blood flow (myocardial ischemia) and consequent symptoms of chest pain (angina), dizziness and/or fatigue, which occur when the heart is not receiving an adequate blood supply. Aside from the mortality risk associated with this restriction in blood flow — either acutely because of myocardial infarction, or chronically because of heart failure — CAD symptoms can severely impair the quality of life and the functional capabilities of individuals with advanced disease. Unfortunately, genetic heterogeneity in the human population leads to an inadequate natural collateralization response in many, as reflected in the number of individuals with persistent ischemia resulting from CAD.
Based on knowledge garnered over the past several decades, we have developed our lead gene therapy candidate, XC001, as a vehicle to stimulate and augment the native tissue revascularization mechanisms specifically targeting individuals who have demonstrated an inadequate endogenous self-revascularization response to ischemia. By building upon these naturally occurring biologic pathways, we have been able to demonstrate that XC001 and its prototype formulations are capable of robustly enhancing the blood supply to ischemic tissues in animal models and in clinical testing.
XyloCor holds exclusive license from Weill Cornell Medical College for the gene therapy being developed by the company.