MEDIA CENTER
June 1, 2023
E-selectin AAV gene therapy promotes vascular regeneration in rodent models of ischemia. New non-clinical results published in Cardiovascular Therapeutics describe an unexpected finding: the therapy also enhances regeneration of ischemic skeletal muscle with a corresponding benefit with respect to exercise performance. These results suggest a potential role for E-selectin/AAV gene therapy as a nonsurgical adjunct in patients with life-limiting peripheral artery disease. The paper was co-authored by Ambulero’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Omaida C. Velazquez, our Chief Science Officer, Dr. Zhao-Jun Liu, and Dr. Antione Ribieras a physician (General Surgery) with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
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June 1, 2023
Our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Zhao-Jun Liu, presented non-clinical results from our E-selectin gene therapy program at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) May 16-20, 2023 in Los Angeles. In a poster entitled ““E-Selectin/AAV Gene Therapy Promotes Myogenesis and Skeletal Muscle Recovery in a Mouse Hindlimb Ischemia Model”, Dr. Liu and colleagues showed evidence of enhanced proliferation of myogenic precursors and increases in the proportion of type I/slow-twitch myofibers in regenerating ischemic muscle. The data correlate with improved exercise capacity and suggest a potential role for E-selectin gene therapy as a nonsurgical option for patients with life-limiting peripheral artery disease (PAD).
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May 25, 2023
Our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Zhao-Jun Liu, presented pre-clinical data at the Vascular Research Initiative Conference (VRIC) and American Heart Association (AHA) Vascular Discovery Annual Meeting in Boston (May 10-13, 2023). His presentation and poster discussed how E-selectin overexpressing mesenchymal stem cells (“Supercharged MSCs”) augment cutaneous wound healing in animal models of limb ischemia. These cells are being developed as a potential treatment for healing wounds in patients.
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May 17, 2023
Ambulero was selected by the University of Miami to participate in the 2023 Coulter Investment Forum on June 6, 2023. Our technology for developing new C> approaches to address vascular disease was vetted through the Coulter Translation Award Program. A goal of the program is to accelerate the commercialization of academic innovations, to improve patient care, reduce technology risk and attract follow-on-funding.
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May 13, 2023
We’ll be pitching Ambulero along with 35-40 other companies at the Bullpen Pitch scheduled for Wednesday, May 31 2023 from noon -2pm ET. The event will be hosted by Phillip Ebner, Executive Director Life Sciences at JPMorgan. The Bullpen connects leaders with a shared mission of commercializing health technology. To learn more, see the link below.
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May 12, 2023
Drs. Omaida C. Velazquez and Zhao-Jun Liu of the University of Miami are developing E-selectin gene modified mesenchymal stem cells (“supercharged MSCs”) as a potential treatment for wound healing. Ambulero’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Zhao-Jun Liu, gave an update on his latest pre-clinical work in this area entitled “Wound Healing Impairments In Ischemic Limbs Reversed By A Novel Gene-modified Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy”. Dr. Liu’s presentation was given at the Wound Healing Society (WHS) Annual Meeting on April 28, 2023.
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April 23, 2023
Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Omaida C. Velazquez, presented data at the 2023 American Surgical Association meeting showing that E-selectin modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) reverse impaired wound healing in a murine model of hindlimb ischemia. Ambulero is developing these cells (we call them “supercharged MSCs”) as a new modality to treat wounds associated with vascular disease. See the abstract here: https://lnkd.in/eFsMeeWS
The complete manuscript of this study and its presentation at the American Surgical Association's 143rd Annual Meeting, April 2023, in Toronto, Canada, is anticipated to be published in the Annals of Surgery pending editorial review.
April 11, 2023
We are delighted to see our Chief Medical Officer (Omaida C. Velazquez) and Chief Scientific Officer (Zhao-Jun Liu) co-author a review of pre-clinical and clinical evidence supporting use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat non-healing wounds in patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI). Ambulero is developing MSCs programmed to express a cell adhesion molecule (E-selectin) as a potential treatment option for these patients.
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March 24, 2023
We were thrilled to learn that our CSO, Dr. Zhao-Jun Liu, was invited to become an academic editor at Stem Cells International. Congratulations Jun!
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February 7, 2023
Our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Zhao-Jun Liu and University of Miami Research Fellow and General Surgery Resident, Dr. Carlos Huerta, are presenting their work at the 12th Annual World Congress Nano- S&T in Sapporo, Japan. Their talk is entitled "Cell Surface Decoration with E-selectin: Cell Targeting & Cell Supercharging".
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December 8, 2022
Methods and Limitations of Augmenting Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Therapeutic Applications. Given their capacity for self-renewal, multilineage differentiation, and immunomodulatory potential, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising modality of clinical therapy for both regenerative medicine and immune diseases. In this study, we review the key approaches and popular methods utilized to boost potency and modify functions of MSCs for clinical purposes as well as their associated limitations.
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October 24, 2022
We are delighted to be accepted as a Biopitch Semi-finalist for the BioFlorida Conference to be held in Miami, FL on Nov 2-4, 2022. We’ll be presenting our lead gene therapy programs for treating severe vascular diseases in front of leading Florida companies and investor groups.
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October 17, 2022
We are very happy to announce that today our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Omaida C. Velazquez, was elected to the US National Academy of Medicine for her pioneering work in vascular medicine. Election to the Academy is one of the highest honors a researcher can receive in the fields of health and medicine.
According to the Academy, her election recognizes "pioneering research that identified E-selectin as a membrane-bound adhesion molecule that induces pro-angiogenesis and healing, in a vascular medicine field where previously only soluble factors have been considered therapeutic candidates. Her groundbreaking work ushered a paradigm-shifting platform to reverse damage by arterial occlusion or diabetes"
Congratulations Dr. Velazquez from the entire Ambulero team!!
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October 11, 2022
We placed second overall and were voted the top health care company in the prestigious Cade Prize competition. The Cade Prize is given annually to top companies spun out of Florida, Georgia and Alabama universities.
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October 3, 2022
We are delighted to be mentioned on Marketwatch as a key company to watch in the growing vasculitis market.
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September 27, 2022
Ambulero Receives Positive Pre-IND Response from FDA for AMB-301 Treatment of Rare Vascular Disease. Ambulero, Inc., a Miami, Florida-based spinout from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, developing new gene and cell therapies for severe vascular disease, announces it received a positive response from a Type B Pre-IND meeting with the FDA to develop AMB-301 as a treatment for a rare vascular condition called Buerger’s Disease.
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September 8, 2022
Ambulero is a proud corporate acceleration partner under a multi-year CATALYZE grant administered by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The NHLBI CATALYZE program supports and funds product definition, pre-clinical research and development of technology and transformative platforms.
For more information: https://lnkd.in/gw3Jcj_5
August 23, 2022
We’ve been invited to present Ambulero at the 12th annual Landmark Investing For Cures Forum taking place September 14-15, 2022. Landmark will bring together family offices, HNW investors, pharma, philanthropic foundations and innovative companies in an invitation only event geared to identifying and promoting new healthcare treatments.
August 19 , 2022
We are delighted to announce that we've been selected as a 2022 Fibonacci Finalist by the Cade Museum of Creativity and Innovation (Gainsville, Florida). The Cade Prize is a capstone initiative of the Museum named after Dr. James Robert Cade, the lead inventor of Gatorade. We are proud to receive this important recognition in our home state of Florida.
June 23, 2022
Our co-founders, Omaida C. Velazquez and Zhao-Jun Liu, recently published non-clinical data supporting further development of E-selectin/AAV gene therapy to treat chronic limb ischemia (CLI): a severe blood vessel disease effecting millions of patients. In a relevant animal model, they showed that E-selectin/AAV gene therapy increased vascularity, preserved muscle integrity, unpregulated pro-angiogenic genes and downregulated genes associated with inflammation. Ambulero and the University of Miami are supporting the development of E-selectin/AAV gene therapy to treat CLI and other vascular diseases.
For more information: https://lnkd.in/g9vdeZEn
June 19, 2022
Our CEO Robert L Buchanan will join other biotech executives on 30 June 2022 to discuss licensing case studies from their respective US and European organizations.This is an invitation only event sponsored by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). A goal of the event is to promote licensing best practices using real-life examples. For more information, please contact Dr. Maximilian Siebert at EISMEA.
For more information: https://lnkd.in/gM3DxHTF
April 20, 2022
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have an inherent ability to support healing. Omaida C. Velazquez and Zhao-Jun Liu of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have engineered MSCs to express a cell adhesion molecule called E-selectin. We call these cells “supercharged MSCs” because they can repair and regenerate damaged vascular tissue and reduce muscle atrophy in animal models. We are presenting this work on May 24, 2022 at an event entitled “Challenges And Opportunities For Mesenchymal Cells”. Supercharged MSCs are a promising new cell therapy for testing in future clinical trials.
For more information, see https://lnkd.in/e7VQ5zi9
April 14, 2022
We are happy to mention that Dr. Zhao-Jun Liu, Chief Scientific Officer of Ambulero Inc. and Associate professor of Surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has been appointed Associate Editor of the journal Frontiers in Oncology. We all wish Dr. Liu the best in his new position on the Editorial Board.
For more information, see https://lnkd.in/ebwTPfXT
March, 10, 2022
Ambulero will be participating in H.C. Wainwright’s Gene Therapy and Gene Editing Conference taking place on March 30, 2022.
Robert L. Buchanan, CEO, and Co-Founder will virtually present the company and provide updates on development of its gene therapy platform to treat severe vascular diseases. Ambulero is a first mover in a new field of using a cell adhesion molecule (E-selectin) to improve regeneration of vascular wound beds.
For more information about the H.C Wainwright conference, see https://hcwevents.com/genetherapy
January 31, 2022
Ambulero’s gene and cell therapy platform uses E-selectin to support healing of vascular wound beds. In an article published in Frontiers In Cardiovascular Medicine, co-authors Omaida C. Velazquez and Zhao-Jun Liu report that mesenchymal stems cells engineered to express E-selectin (“supercharged” cells) confer improved repurfusion, repair and regeneration in an animal model of Chronic Limb Ischemia. The company is developing supercharged cells as a possible therapeutic option for patients suffering from certain vascular diseases.
January 30, 2022
Our Chief Medical Officer (Dr. Omaida Velazquez) and Chief Scientific Officer (Dr. Zhao-Jun Liu) co-authored a recent review article in Therapeutic Advances In Rare Disease describing challenges and advances in the treatment of Buerger’s Disease: a rare vasculitis that can lead to amputation. The review highlights new potential treatment options including Ambulero’s gene therapy approach to support therapeutic angiogenesis by providing E-selectin
December 16, 2021
Ambulero Makes Cover of Brainstroms! --The Magazine of the University of Miami’s
Miller School of Medicine
We are honored to be on the cover of Brainstorms! The Ambulero article highlights important guidance and support provided by Dr. Norma Sue Kenyon (UM’s Vice Provost For Innovation), U Innovation, the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation and UM’s Office of Technology Transfer that led to the founding of Ambulero. A special thanks to our Chief Medical Officer (Omaida C. Velazquez) and Chief Scientific Officer (Zhao-Jun Liu) for over a decade of groundbreaking research that is at the heart of our first-in-class pipeline of gene and cell therapy products for treating severe vascular diseases that can lead to amputation.
See https://magazine.med.miami.edu/brainstorms
November 11, 2021
Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Omaida C. Velazquez, was an invited speaker at the George Johnson Jr. Distinguished Professor of Surgery Grand Rounds of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Dr. Velazquez talked about her professional journey as well as the genesis of Ambulero: a cell and gene therapy spinout of the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine dedicated to treating severe vascular diseases.
See https://uncch.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Embed.aspx?id=9a0f67c3-ae2d-4f92-9ac8-ad3b00e9f8fe
October 27, 2021
Ambulero’s Chief Scientific Officer Appointed to Review Editor
We are pleased to announce that our Chief Scientific Officer, Zhao-Jun Liu, MD, PhD, has been appointed a Review Editor of the following scientific journals: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Therapeutics and Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine. Dr. Liu is also an Associate Professor at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine with an appointment in the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery. We wish Dr. Liu all the best in his new editorial roles.
October 19, 2021
Ambulero’s Gene Therapy Candidate AMB-301 Granted US Orphan Drug Designation.
September 29, 2021
Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Omaida C. Velazquez, was recently interviewed by the Florida 24 Network; a statewide news channel. She described her journey to become the first Latina in the United States to chair a department of surgery.
September 14, 2021
A big congratulations to our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Omaida C. Velazquez, on being honored as the Latina Pioneer of the Year at the 20th Annual Hispanic Women of Distinction Charity Award held in Davie, Florida.
See https://lnkd.in/dQQc9sdj
August 31, 2021
We are very happy to see Drs. Omaida C. Velazquez and Zhao-Jun Liu publish a paper describing the improvement of gangrene, revascularization and limb function in mice using an E-selectin/AAV gene therapy
See https://lnkd.in/d_kace5i
July 27, 2021
Ambulero is delighted to receive a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) for the name “Ambulero”. Please see the USPTO website for more information: See https://www.uspto.gov
April 28, 2021
Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Omaida C. Velazquez, was honored by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) with the 29th Robert W. Binkley Visiting Professorship. She gave a lecture entitled “Restoration of Healing in Ischemic Tissues Using Gene and Cell Therapies: E-Selectin, an Emerging Vascular Regenerative Platform”.
March 1, 2021
Dr. Khemraj Hirani appointed as Chief Regulatory Officer of Ambulero.
“Raj brings tremendous experience to our cell and gene therapy treatment platforms for treating vascular disease. We are very fortunate to have him”, said Robert L. Buchanan, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ambulero.
Dr. Hirani is a recognized subject matter expert on FDA and CFR regulations related to clinical trials. He holds key appointments at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine including Director, Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance, Diabetes Research Institute and Associate Vice Chair for Research and Regulatory Compliance, Department of Medicine.
February 25, 2021
Dr. Omaida C. Velazquez, Chief Medical Officer of Ambulero and Professor and Chair of DeWitt Daughty Family Department of Surgery at the University of Miami, Miller Medical School, discussed the potential of stem cells to regrow vascular tissue and avoid arterial disease in a series called Inside Our Labs: Innovations in Heart Health.
See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOkBKJSXFC0
February 15, 2021
Ambulero selected as a top therapeutic start-up to follow in 2021.
See https://startupill.com/these-are-the-top-101-therapeutics-startups-to-follow-in-2021
January 25, 2021
Ambulero Raises Up To $5.5M From Orphinic Scientific And Forms European Subsidiary To Advance Rare Vascular Disease Program. See:
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/01/26/2163930/0/en/Ambulero-Raises-Up-To-5-5-Million-from-Orphinic-Scientific.html
January 11, 2021
Ambulero Attends Biotech Showcase Digital Investor and Partnering Conference.
See: www.informaconnect.com/biotech-showcase
January 6, 2021
Ambulero Attends Bio Partnering at JPM.
See https://www.bio.org/events/bio-partnering-jpm
November 12, 2020
Miami, FL- Robert Buchanan will present Ambulero at the U Innovation Concept
to Commercialization Series. To register, please visit:
https://miami.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_t4kTLkqjThi3tGWClaAO_A
June 4, 2020
Washington, DC- Ambulero, Inc will be attending BIO Digital from June 8-12, 2020. For more information, please see www.bio.org.
June 2, 2020
Boston, MA - Ambulero, Inc. Will be attending Digital RESI from June 8-10, 2020. For more information, please see www.resiconference.com.
April 23, 2020
Boston, MA - Ambulero, Inc. will be attending Digital RESI from April 29-30, 2020. For more information about the event and to learn more about the company, please see www.resiconference.com.
April 6, 2020
Miami, Florida - Ambulero, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Bruce Patsner, M.D., J.D., M.B.A as its FDA regulatory advisor.
“I am delighted to see Bruce join our company as our FDA advisor. His deep expertise in many areas of interest will help guide efforts to bring our therapeutics forward to treat serious vascular diseases” said Robert L. Buchanan, co-founder and CEO of Ambulero.
January 17, 2020
Miami, Florida - Ambulero, Inc. is pleased to announce that Dr. Omaida C. Velazquez (Chief Medical Officer) will be attending the World Stem Cell Summit to be held January 21-24 at the Hyatt Regency in Miami, Florida.
January 10, 2020
Miami, Florida - Ambulero, Inc. is pleased to announce that Dr. Carlton Anderson (COO) and Randy Berholtz (Chairman of the Board) will be attending the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, CA on January 13-16, 2020.
December 12, 2019
Miami, Florida - Ambulero, Inc., a pre-clinical stage regenerative medicines company using gene and cell therapy approaches to treat vascular disease, today announced the appointment of Dr. Greg, Landry, Professor of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Sciences University, as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board.
Dr. Landry comes to Ambulero as head of OHSU’s division of vascular surgery with clinical expertise in upper arterial and venous disease, abdominal aortic aneurysms, cerebrovascular disease, hemodialysis access and renovascular and visceral arterial disease.
“I am delighted to have Greg chair our Scientific Advisory Board and to provide the company with advice and guidance in our clinical trial designs for treating vascular disease” said Robert L. Buchanan, co-founder and CEO of Ambulero.
Other members of the Scientific Advisory Board are to be announced.
November 1, 2019
Miami, Florida - Ambulero Inc., a pre-clinical stage regenerative medicines company focused on developing next-generation cell and gene therapies announced an exclusive licensing agreement with the University of Miami for intellectual property relating to the development and commercialization of cell and gene therapies for ischemic diseases.
Under the terms of the agreement, Ambulero is granted exclusive rights to gene and cell therapy technologies for introducing the cell adhesion molecule E-selectin into tissues damaged by vascular disease. University of Miami researchers have shown in relevant animal models that administration of the adhesion molecule can enhance blood flow and wound healing.
Pursuant to the terms of the exclusive license agreement, the University of Miami will become a shareholder in the company and will receive an upfront payment and certain clinical, regulatory, and sales milestone payments, as well as royalties on net sales of products covered by the license.