Diffusion Pharmaceuticals was founded in February 2001, as a Virginia limited liability company, by Professor John Gainer and David Kalergis, based on acquisition from the University of Virginia of all the intellectual property rights covering the novel technology. Since its founding, Diffusion Pharmaceuticals has raised more than $21.3 million in private funds and has received $2.6 million in Department of Defense R&D contracts and grants for a total of $23.9 million in support to date.

Highlights of the company’s progress:

• assembled a management team
• built a scientific research capability
• created a Scientific Advisory Board
• expanded its drug pipeline
• widened and strengthened its patent portfolio in the U.S. and abroad
• created numerous relationships with distinguished researchers in prestigious institutions
• received government commitments for millions of dollars in Phase I/II clinical trials services
• advanced its drug-development program to human testing: completed a positive Phase I study of TSC in normal, healthy humans and completed a successful Phase I/II clinical trial of TSC in peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients. Study results were announced in an oral presentation at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 15-November 2010.
• awarded $244,479 as part of the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Tax Credit/Grant Program
• awarded FDA Orphan Drug Status for the use of TSC in the treatment of primary brain cancer