Savar is a Chilean biotechnology company based in Santiago, Chile, focused on developing biological therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. The company specializes in recombinant protein therapeutics targeting neuroprotection, with programs in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological conditions.
Founded in 2018, Savar has built a protein engineering and manufacturing platform focused on developing neuroprotective proteins. The company's approach involves engineering naturally-occurring neuroprotective proteins to enhance their therapeutic potential and develop them as biopharmaceuticals.
| Attribute |
Details |
| Headquarters |
Santiago, Chile |
| Founded |
2018 |
| Focus Areas |
Recombinant proteins, Neuroprotection, Biologics |
| Employees |
~35 |
| Stage |
Preclinical to clinical |
¶ History and Development
Savar was founded by a team of Chilean scientists with expertise in protein engineering and neuroscience:
- Dr. Oscar Aravena (CEO): Protein engineering background, previous positions at leading biotech companies
- Dr. Monica Valenzuela: Neuroscience research background, focus on neuroprotection mechanisms
- Dr. Roberto Fernandez: Business leadership, previous entrepreneurial experience
The company has developed core capabilities in:
Protein Engineering:
- Recombinant protein expression and purification
- Protein optimization for enhanced activity
- Fc fusion technology for extended half-life
Manufacturing:
- Mammalian cell expression systems
- GMP-compliant production processes
- Scale-up capabilities
Savar has advanced its programs:
- 2019: First lead protein candidate nominated
- 2021: Completed preclinical studies for SAV-001
- 2023: Entered regulatory submission process
- 2024: Received approval for first clinical trial application
Savar's核心技术 involves engineering naturally-occurring neuroprotective proteins:
Approach:
- Identify endogenous neuroprotective proteins
- Engineer for enhanced potency and pharmacokinetics
- Develop as recombinant biopharmaceuticals
Advantages:
- Well-characterized mechanisms of action
- Human proteins with favorable safety profiles
- Potential for disease modification
Expression Systems:
- CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary) cells for complex proteins
- Bacterial systems for simpler proteins
- Yeast for rapid prototyping
Engineering Strategies:
- Affinity maturation for enhanced binding
- Fc fusion for half-life extension
- Point mutations for improved activity
Formulation:
- Liquid formulation development
- Lyophilized formulations for stability
- Device development for delivery
| Program |
Target |
Stage |
Indication |
| SAV-001 |
Neuronal survival |
Phase 1准备 |
Alzheimer's disease |
| SAV-002 |
Synaptic protection |
Preclinical |
Alzheimer's disease |
| SAV-003 |
Dopaminergic neuroprotection |
Discovery |
Parkinson's disease |
| SAV-004 |
Myelin protection |
Discovery |
Multiple sclerosis |
SAV-001 is a recombinant neuroprotective protein being developed for Alzheimer's disease:
Mechanism:
- Promotes neuronal survival through multiple pathways
- Reduces apoptotic cell death
- Supports synaptic function
Preclinical Results:
- Demonstrated neuroprotection in cellular models
- Improved cognitive performance in transgenic mouse models
- Favorable safety and tolerability in toxicology studies
Clinical Status:
- Received regulatory approval for Phase 1 study
- Study initiation planned for 2024
University of Chile:
- Joint research on protein mechanisms
- Graduate student training
- Access to research facilities
Pontifical Catholic University of Chile:
- Clinical research capabilities
- Patient sample access
- Biomarker development collaboration
Pharmaceutical Partnerships:
- Research collaboration with global pharma for SAV-002
- Manufacturing partnership for clinical supply
- Commercialization discussions for Latin American markets
Consortium Membership:
- Latin American Biopharmaceutical Network
- International Neurodegeneration Research Consortium
Savar operates manufacturing capabilities in Santiago:
- Research laboratory: Protein discovery and development
- Pilot plant: Scale-up production for preclinical studies
- Quality control: Analytical testing facilities
The company has established:
- Cell banking: Master cell bank and working cell bank
- Upstream production: Bioreactor-based protein production
- Downstream purification: Protein purification and characterization
- Quality systems: GMP-compliant quality management
Savar operates under oversight from:
- ISP: Regulatory authority for biological products
- ANID: Science and technology funding
- CORFO: Economic development support
The company is pursuing global development:
- FDA: Pre-IND meeting completed
- EMA: Scientific advice received
- Regional: Latin American regulatory harmonization
Savar has raised funding through:
- Founders: Initial founder investment
- Seed round: Funding from Chilean angel investors
- Series A: Primary development funding
- Grants: Non-dilutive funding from government sources
The company is seeking additional funding to:
- Complete Phase 1 clinical trials
- Advance pipeline programs
- Build commercial capabilities
- Initiate Phase 1 trial: Begin clinical development of SAV-001
- Advance SAV-002: Progress toward IND submission
- Expand partnerships: Establish additional pharmaceutical collaborations
Savar aims to become a leading biopharmaceutical company in Latin America:
- Regional presence: First Chilean company with neurodegenerative biologics in clinic
- Pipeline expansion: Multiple programs across neurological conditions
- Global reach: International market access through partnerships
- Manufacturing scale: Scaling production for clinical trials
- Clinical translation: Demonstrating efficacy in humans
- Biomarkers: Developing patient selection biomarkers
- Competition: Competing with well-resourced global companies
- Market access: Pricing and reimbursement in Latin America
- Partnership: Dependence on pharma partnerships
- Talent: Recruiting experienced biopharmaceutical professionals
- Regulatory: Navigating multiple regulatory requirements
- Capital: Raising sufficient capital for development
Savar is a Chilean biotechnology company developing recombinant neuroprotective protein therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. With a lead program entering Phase 1 clinical development and a pipeline targeting Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, Savar represents an emerging player in the Latin American biopharmaceutical sector. The company's protein engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities position it to contribute novel biological therapies for patients with neurodegenerative conditions.