SAN DIEGO, November 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ventoux Biosciences, a patient-founded biotechnology company developing therapies for immunofibrotic diseases, today announced a research program that will explore the therapeutic potential of Ventoux’s lead compound, VEN-201, in preclinical translational models of spinal cord injury (SCI). The research will be conducted by Dr. Michael Sofroniew, MD, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Neurobiology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a world leader in central nervous system (CNS) injury and repair.
Conceptual representation of spinal cord signaling, reflecting Ventoux Biosciences’ exploratory research into fibrosis and immune modulation in SCI.
Rehabilitation therapy illustrates the potential impact of Ventoux’s research in SCI, exploring localized antifibrotic approaches to support functional recovery.
VEN-201 is a locally administered agent designed to modulate immunofibrotic signaling and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Originally developed for Dupuytren’s disease, its mechanism of action aligns with emerging knowledge on CNS fibrosis, a key barrier to functional recovery after SCI. The research program will begin with studies in established SCI animal models to evaluate the impact of VEN-201 on fibrotic scars, neuroinflammation, and tissue architecture.
“Spinal cord injury triggers a cascade of immune and fibrotic responses that can permanently alter neuronal connectivity,” said Dr. Sofroniew. “This study will evaluate whether VEN-201 can selectively modulate these responses and preserve or enhance the regenerative potential of injured tissue.”
Kurt Harrington, founder and CEO of Ventoux Biosciences, added: “This effort reflects our commitment to translating patient-driven innovation into broader therapeutic impact. As a Dupuytren’s patient and biotech veteran with more than 25 years in the industry, I have seen how fibrosis is often overlooked in CNS repair. VEN-201’s localized antifibrotic profile offers a compelling rationale for CNS applications, and Dr. Sofroniew La experience in the mechanisms of CNS injury makes this research particularly valuable.”
Dr. Ken Lipson, chief scientific officer of Ventoux Biosciences, will lead the program’s translational strategy and scientific coordination. “We believe VEN-201 has the potential to redefine fibrosis as a modifiable barrier to regeneration,” said Dr. Lipson. “Our goal is to generate rigorous mechanistic data that can inform future clinical development in SCI and related CNS conditions.”
A new therapeutic paradigm in SCI
This research program represents a potential paradigm shift in the treatment of SCI, going beyond neuroprotection and glial modulation to directly target the formation of the fibrotic scar itself. In current models of SCI, the fibrotic core forms a dense inhibitory matrix that blocks axonal regrowth and impairs tissue repair. The ability of VEN-201 to locally modulate ECM composition and immunofibrotic signaling could transform fibrosis from a static endpoint to a dynamic, druggable process.
By inhibiting fibrotic barrier formation, VEN-201 may unlock regenerative pathways that were long considered inaccessible. Its localized delivery allows for high tissue exposure with minimal systemic risk, and its compatibility with surgical decompression or biomaterial supports opens new avenues for combination therapy.
If successful, this approach could redefine how fibrosis in the CNS is understood and treated, offering hope for improved outcomes in both acute and chronic SCI.
About Ventoux Biosciences
Ventoux Biosciences is a biotechnology company developing locally delivered therapies for immunofibrotic diseases. Founded by a patient with Dupuytren’s disease and led by experienced biotechnology executives, Ventoux combines scientific rigor with lived experience to advance treatments that restore tissue function and improve quality of life.
Dr. Sofroniew participates in this research in his individual capacity as an academic researcher. UCLA has not endorsed Ventoux Biosciences or its products.
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SOURCE Ventoux Biosciences
