New Company, Vida Pharmacal, Formed to Develop Treatment for Chagas Disease
Company Launches with Patented Formula and Extensive Research in Canine Chagas
BULVERDE, Texas – March 23, 2018 – Vida Pharmacal, the first pharmaceutical company devoted to developing, marketing, and distributing a treatment for Chagas disease in veterinary patients, today announced its official launch. Founded in 2017, the company is developing V1001, the world’s first formula for treating Chagas disease in canines.
Chagas disease is considered a neglected tropical disease—one of a group of communicable diseases that primarly affect poor, rural populations throughout the world. Chagas affects eight million people and millions of dogs in North, South, and Latin America, as well as in Europe. Caused by the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi (T.cruzi), it is transmitted to humans and mammals through triatomines, also known as “kissing bugs” or “assassin bugs.” Human patients endure physical suffering, social stigma, and the emotional stress of fearing death at any moment. For dogs today, Chagas is a death sentence, largely because it manifests as heart disease and goes unrecognized.
“Launching Vida Pharmacal represents a huge milestone,” said Roy Madigan D.V.M., Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Vida Pharmacal. “We’ve spent more than a decade formulating and testing an effective treatment. We’ve tested it on dogs, primates, and marine mammals with a 100% successful treatment rate.”
The company’s formula, V1001 (itraconazole/amiodarone), eliminates T. cruzi parasites in dogs and helps reverse symptoms of heart disease. The formula was initially tested in veterinary patients that presented with Chagas disease, and then in U.S. military working dogs at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Additional studies and testing were conducted with primates that had acquired Chagas disease and marine mammals. There are estimated to be seven million dogs in Texas alone already infected with Chagas disease. The drug will be submitted for review by the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM)—a division of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—for veterinary use.
“Chagas disease is increasingly being found across the United States in canines,” said Madigan. “With increased awareness and testing capabilities, we hope to treat thousands of dogs around the world. We acknowledge a debt of gratitude to the U.S. military for enabling us to treat their animals and contribute their experience.”
When approved for veterinary use, V1001 will be marketed by Vida Pharmacal and distributed through existing veterinary pharmaceutical distribution channels.
About Vida Pharmacal
Vida Pharmacal develops, markets, and distributes pharmaceuticals designed to treat rare and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) for human and veterinary patients. Founded in 2017, the company is developing the world’s first treatment for Chagas disease in canines. Vida Pharmacal is headquartered in Spring Branch, Texas and is privately held.
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Contact:
Destiny Madigan
+1.361.548.5057
info@nullvidapharmacal.com