Funding to support development of virus-like particle–based immunotherapy targeting tauopathies.
June 13, 2025, ALBUQUERQUE, NM & MISSISSAUGA, ON — TheraVac Biologics (TheraVac), a company developing innovative immunotherapies for neurological and autoimmune diseases, today announced that Dr. Kiran Bhaskar, TheraVac’s Scientific Co-founder and Co-Director for the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the University of New Mexico (UNM), has been awarded a $1 million grant from Part the Cloud. The award will support the development of a novel virus-like particle (VLP)–based vaccine targeting tauopathies, a key pathological driver of Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.
Dr. Bhaskar’s project is among the first cohort selected under the Part the Cloud Translational Gene Targeting Challenge, an initiative focused on accelerating cutting-edge genetic and molecular therapies into clinical application. “This recognition from Part the Cloud underscores the potential of our immunotherapy platform to address the pathological drivers of Alzheimer’s disease. We are proud of Dr. Bhaskar and the team at UNM for their continued efforts to advance this promising therapeutic approach toward clinical development.” Said Ali Riazi, PhD, CEO, TheraVac Biologics.
The grant is part of a broader funding announcement by Part the Cloud, a program founded by philanthropist Michaela “Mikey” Hoag in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association. Known for its rigorous and highly selective review process, Part the Cloud provides strategic funding to accelerate promising investigational therapies into clinical trials while catalyzing additional follow-on investment.
TheraVac’s VLP-based immunotherapy approach is designed to stimulate a targeted immune response against pathological tau protein aggregates, which are strongly implicated in neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. By leveraging advanced vaccine engineering, the program aims to deliver a safe and effective disease-modifying therapy for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies.
About TheraVac Biologics
TheraVac Biologics is developing a novel active immunotherapy approach that targets protein misfolding and chronic inflammation, the main hallmarks of neurodegenerative and aging-related inflammatory diseases. TheraVac’s current lead vaccine asset has demonstrated excellent safety, immune response and efficacy in various animal models and is expected to offer a convenient, safe, and efficacious addition to the current standard of treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. For more information, please visit theravacbio.com or contact us at contact@theravacbio.com.
About Part the Cloud
Part the Cloud is a funding initiative of the Alzheimer’s Association dedicated to accelerating high-potential Alzheimer’s therapies into clinical testing through strategic investment and partnership. Contact: media@alz.org.