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Industry

Healthcare

Company Type

Biotechnology/Life Sciences

Size

$10 Million

Investment Type

Equity

For additional information, please contact:
Gary Levy | Managing Director
(516) 457-0104

Overview

JN Nova Pharma (founded in 2020) is raising $10 million to conduct Phase II clinical study for Long COVID. 

  • Unmet Market Need: Long COVID affects over 400 million people worldwide, with a $1 trillion economic burden

 

  • First-in-class ACE2 decoy biologic targeting all COVID Spike-protein variants while providing organ protection

 

  • Exclusive worldwide rights secured with patents filed in Jan 2021

 

  • De-risked Preclinical Stage: Completed preclinical validation, clinical biomanufacturing & CTA; supported by $4.6 million in non-dilutive funding

Milestones and Value Inflection Points

  • Q2 2025: Phase IA/B initiation (regulatory approval submission)

 

  • Q4 2025: Phase II study initiation (partnering discussions)

 

  • 2026+: Potential stockpile deals ($10-$20M) and pharma partnerships ($50M upfront, $250M milestones)

Problem

 

Long COVID’s Unmet Medical Need

  • 400M+ cases globally, 20M in the U.S. alone

 

  • Persistent symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, and respiratory distress

 

  • No approved targeted treatments; current solutions are supportive only

 

  • Long-term complications linked to immune dysregulation and Spike protein immuno-toxicity

Long COVID: Global Prevalence and Economic Burden

JN Nova’s Solution

 

A Unique Therapeutic Approach by JN2019M5.2

Characteristics of Long COVID

  • Delayed/incomplete viral clearance
  • Circulating viral SPIKE protein
  • ACE2 loss from organs

JN2019M5.2: A unified Long COVID treatment concept

  • Viral trapping and clearance
  • Binding and neutralization of SPIKE protein
  • Replacement of lost ACE2 enzyme function in damaged organs

JN Nova Therapeutics Can be Delivered to Target

 

Organs as Required

Lead molecule provides ACE2 replacement and SPIKE protein trapping Long COVID: Developing diagnostics and therapeutic

PHASE II  Long COVID19 Clinical Trial via

 

Aerosolized Nebulized Delivery

Lead molecule provides ACE2 replacement and SPIKE protein trapping Long COVID: Developing diagnostics and therapeutic

Optimized Long COVID Treatment

  • Optimal Solution: Dual therapy—Pan-COVID SPIKE viral trap + pulmonary ACE2 enzyme replacement

 

  • Best Delivery: Nebulized aerosol for direct lung/vascular impact

 

  • Cost Efficiency: ~1/20 systemic dose, significantly lower cost

 

  • Key Benefit: Pan-mutant SPIKE trapping reduces inflammation

 

  • Ideal Device: Aerogen—versatile for nasal, hospital, and ICU use; proven regulatory and distribution track record (over 20 million patients in more than 75 countries)

 

  • Future Potential: ARDS, H5N1, and IPF treatment

Preclinical Efficacy Data Supporting ACE2 Decoy

 

Mechanism

  • High-Affinity Binding: JN2019-M5.2 binds strongly to the COVID-19 SPIKE protein, maintaining full ACE2 activity and blocking infection across all variants

 

  • In Vivo Protection: Inhaled treatment reduced viral load by 90%, lung damage by ~60%, and prevented weight loss/mortality in Syrian hamsters

 

  • Pulmonary Delivery: Direct lung administration (Penn-Century MicroSprayer®) ensured full SPIKE binding and ACE2 activity at therapeutic doses (>0.3 mg/kg), supporting a 5-10 mg/day inhalation dose

 

  • Long COVID Potential: Mitigates ACE2 loss and SPIKE-driven inflammation, blocking key inflammatory biomarkers linked to lung damage and fibrosis

 

  • Triple-Action Mechanism: Uniquely prevents infection, restores ACE2 function, and counteracts inflammation—positioning JN2019-M5.2 as a novel Long COVID therapy

Return on Investment Potential

  • Government funding: Access to public funding from BARDA, CEPI, and CARE could significantly reduce investor risk and leverage private capital

 

  • Multiple revenue streams: Success in any of the targeted indications (COVID-19, ARDS, AKI, Long COVID) could generate substantial returns

 

  • Stockpiling agreements: Potential for long-term, high-value contracts with governments for pandemic preparedness

 

  • Licensing and partnerships: Opportunities for revenue through licensing agreements or partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies

 

  • Global COVID therapeutics market was valued at $30.7 billion in 2021. Although contracting, it is projected to be valued at $16.2 billion by the end of 2031

Management Team

Dr. T. Nathan Yoganathan, President & CSO

Experienced entrepreneurial scientist with two former successful biotech ventures. University and industrial research scientist, turned entrepreneur and an experienced CEO, having successfully launched several private and a public biotechnology company. Has secured multimillions of dollars in investments from venture capital and grants to Canadian biotech companies. Over twenty-five years of experience in scientific research in cell signaling and gene expression technology. Published several articles. Inventor of many patents. Recipient of numerous awards, including ones from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the Thyroid Foundation of Canada. Serves on several advisory boards for both government and industry, including the CIHR Strategic Training Program in the Bioinformatics Advisory Board, BIOTECanada’s Emerging Companies Advisory Board, and past member of the Ontario Research Fund Advisory Board. Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, a faculty member of the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto and affiliated with the Lunenfeld and Tanenbaum Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital. Holds a B.Sc. (Honours) from the University of North London, a M.Sc. from the University of Sussex, and a Ph.D. from the University of Oslo.

Dr. John Gillard, CEO & CPDO

Highly experienced drug discovery and development executive with three multi-billion-dollar drugs and 10 clinical development candidates conceived and tested under his direction. One of Canada’s precision medicine biotech pioneers with an ongoing active academic engagement. Completed a successful early career as Director of Medicinal Chemistry at Merck Research Laboratories in Montreal, where the highly successful anti-asthma drug, Singulair® was developed. Joined BioChem Pharma, recruiting and directing the very successful team of scientists responsible for the discovery and development of the multi-B$ landmark anti-viral drugs lamivudine (3TC®) for HIV and Zeffix (Epivir) for hepatitis B. Led several successful multinational collaborations with Glaxo, Astra, and Pfizer. BioChem Pharma was subsequently acquired by Shire for >$5B. Created Canadian biotech company Aegera, as CSO & EVP. Served on the Boards of numerous Canadian biotech and investment companies. Ph.D. gained in Australia with post-doctoral fellowships at CNRS Paris and Harvard University, Boston. Faculty Adj. Professor, Dept. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University Montreal.

Dr. Chantal Martin, Advisor on CMC:  15 years of industry experience in the development and clinical launch of novel biological products, spanning oncolytic viruses, viral vaccines, cell therapies, peptide nanoparticles, and more. Played a pivotal role in establishing the Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Center (BMC) at the OHRI, leading quality, CMC, and analytics for QC and clinical correlates. As one of the first hires at Turnstone Biologics, led quality and analytics for CMC and clinical correlates, later focusing on Technical Operations for viral and autologous cell therapy programs. Led high performing teams of scientists and engineers in CMC, manufacturing and QC operations, as well as in development and product sciences. PhD-trained scientist from the University of Ottawa.

Dr. Larissa Pikor, Advisor on pre-clinical: Over 10 years of experience in the immuno-oncology field, with industry experience leading preclinical development, non-clinical safety assessment and product characterization of multiple early-stage immunotherapy products. Experience with vendor management, market and gap assessments and supported the development and implementation of Quality Management Systems for early phase biotech companies. Received Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Oncology from the University of British Columbia and was a post-doctoral fellow at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute with Dr. John Bell.

Ms. Dana Nohynek, Advisor on Regulatory Affairs: Over ten years of industry experience. Developed regulatory strategies throughout various phases of clinical investigation, extensive interactions with regulatory authorities, and preparation and submission of applications to health agencies in Canada, the US, and Europe. Implemented and maintained quality systems, prepared for and participated in agency audits, and developed internal training programs. Worked for small to mid-size biotech and medical device companies as well as with large pharma. Executive member of RAPS’ Southern B.C. chapter. Professional member of the Canadian Association of Professionals in Regulatory Affairs. Holds a B.Sc. (honours) from the University of Waterloo (1998), an M.Sc. from the University of Toronto (2000), and a RAC certification (2006) granted by the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS).

Dr. Sonny Kohli, Chief Medical Advisor: Internal Medicine and Critical Care specialist practicing in Canada. Faculty member at McMaster University. Career has been characterized by a drive for innovation and a commitment to enhancing patient outcomes. Deep-rooted passion for global health was ignited during a humanitarian mission to post-earthquake Haiti in 2010. Witnessing firsthand the devastating impact of inadequate healthcare on marginalized communities, became dedicated to exploring innovative solutions to address these challenges. Chapter author in the new pioneering textbook, “AI in Clinical Medicine”, a former Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut candidate, a Canadian Forces (CF)-trained Flight Surgeon, and an alumnus of the International Space University (ISU). At ISU, contributed to deployment of Image Reversal in Space Investigation on International Space Station (ISS). Will play a pivotal role in driving JN Nova’s mission to provide comprehensive clinical intelligence for Long COVID, other infectious diseases and ARDS diseases. Expertise will be instrumental in ensuring that AI-powered platform continues to deliver accurate, timely, and actionable insights to physicians, enabling them to make more informed decisions for patients with complex conditions.

Prof. Jim Woodgett, Chief Scientific Advisor

Senior Scientist at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI), Professor in the Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto and President and Scientific Director of the Terry Fox Research Institute. After doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Dundee with Philip Cohen, postdocced with Tony Hunter at the Salk Institute. Established an independent research group at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, London, England and isolated and characterized genes for several key cellular regulators. In 1992, moved to the Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto where lab focused on signaling mechanisms underscoring malignant growth, degenerative diseases and diabetes. In 2005 began working as Director of Research at LTRI at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto for 15 years.

Specific Risks

  • Unproven Mechanism of Action (MOA)

 

  • Lack of biomarker validation for Long COVID patient selection

 

  • Patient recruitment challenges

 

  • Clinical development timeline risks

 

  • The FDA and Health Canada have no established approval pathway for Long COVID therapies

 

  • Uncertain market adoption for Long COVID therapies

 

  • If unable to raise funds needed, program will stall

 

  • Private securities are speculative, illiquid, and carry a high degree of risk – including the loss of the entire investment
Learn More About JN Nova Pharma Inc.

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Thanks, Ken

Ken Margolis | Managing Partner Castle Placement, LLC
1460 Broadway Street, Rte 400
New York, New York 10036
(212) 418-1188 | C: (516) 712-7784
kmargolis@castleplacement.com

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