Sanacor at the forefront of cardiometabolic innovation

Sanacor is on a mission to reverse diabetic cardiovascular disease, tackling a condition that is one of the leading causes of death for people with diabetes—yet has no effective treatments. With roots in more than two decades of research, the Milwaukee-based startup is translating a groundbreaking scientific discovery into what could be a life-saving drug.

At the heart of Sanacor’s innovation is the FIS1 mitochondrial fission protein, a regulator of mitochondrial dysfunction. While FIS1 has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, Dr. Michael Widlansky, a cardiologist and director of the Cardiovascular Research Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin, identified its role in vascular disease among diabetics. His research revealed that FIS1 overexpression disrupts mitochondrial networks in endothelial cells—the cells lining blood vessels—leading to excessive oxidative stress, small vessel disease, and ultimately, cardiovascular complications.

“This work is important to us both from a personal perspective as well as a scientific perspective,” said cofounder Saira Ramasastry. “There are no diabetes-specific treatments that can really help with this. We want to change that.”

Sanacor’s scientific breakthrough centers on blocking FIS1 to restore mitochondrial function. Dr. Widlansky along with multiple collaborators developed a small protein capable of inhibiting FIS1. However, proteins often make poor drug candidates due to their size and instability, leading Sanacor to focus on creating a small-molecule drug that can safely and effectively block FIS1 in humans. The company is now in the lead optimization phase, refining its drug candidates to meet the requirements for future clinical trials.

Sanacor’s progress has been fueled by a recent seed funding round, backed by Madison-based Venture Investors (VI). “VI really supports Midwest opportunities,” Ramasastry said. “We have a great group of investors inside and outside the region, but it’s especially important to have the support from those who see the value in local biotech.”

The company has also secured an exclusive licensing agreement with the Medical College of Wisconsin, reinforcing its strong ties to the region’s research ecosystem. “The Medical College of Wisconsin has been wonderful partners,” Ramasastry added. “It’s just been delightful to work with them.”

Beyond scientific and financial milestones, Sanacor’s story is one of long-standing collaboration. Widlansky and Ramasastry have known each other since their undergraduate days at Stanford. Their partnership blends deep scientific expertise with the operational and investment experience needed to navigate the complexities of drug development.

Looking ahead, Sanacor’s key milestone for 2025 is optimizing its lead compounds to ensure they have the properties needed to become viable drugs. “That’s probably our biggest goal for this year,” Widlansky said. The company is already testing its small-molecule candidates in live human tissue samples, an important step toward demonstrating their potential effectiveness before advancing to animal studies and, ultimately, human clinical trials.

With the stakes high—more than 500 million people are expected to develop diabetic cardiovascular disease by 2045, with associated healthcare costs projected at $350 billion annually—Sanacor’s work could have far-reaching implications. If successful, the company’s treatment could change the standard of care for diabetics, addressing an urgent unmet medical need and reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease worldwide.

As Sanacor moves forward, its leadership remains committed to both the science and the broader mission of ensuring that Wisconsin plays a pivotal role in advancing medical innovation. “We’re excited to be doing this in Wisconsin,” Ramasastry said. “The talent, the resources, the support—it’s all coming together to make this possible.”