Irish biotech startup HAON Life Sciences has been awarded a €10.7 million non-dilutive grant from Ireland’s Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund (DTIF) to accelerate development of a pioneering cell therapy for treating infant brain injuries.
The funding will support the CanVas consortium, a multidisciplinary collaboration led by HAON, focused on advancing CanVas-001, a novel regenerative treatment for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)—a leading cause of infant death and lifelong neurological damage.
A Game-Changer for Neonatal Brain Injury
Unlike traditional approaches like therapeutic hypothermia, which must be administered within hours of birth and only benefits a fraction of affected newborns, CanVas-001 is designed to repair or reverse brain damage even beyond the critical early window. The therapy combines Endothelial Colony Forming Cells (ECFCs) with Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) to simultaneously target vascular and inflammatory damage in the brain.
This allogeneic cell-based treatment, derived from donor cells, has shown promising results in large animal preclinical studies. It represents one of the first attempts globally to bring regenerative medicine into routine neonatal care.
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Backed by a National Innovation Effort
The CanVas consortium includes key partners:
- NIBRT (National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training) – leading analytical development
- Hi-Tech Health – overseeing clinical manufacturing
- University College Cork’s INFANT Centre – providing clinical expertise in neonatal neurology and HIE
“This funding is a transformative step forward in addressing one of the most critical unmet needs in neonatal care,” said HAON Life Sciences co-founder Mark O’Neill.
Bridging Stem Cell Science and Clinical Need
Founded in 2022 by Mark O’Neill and Moayed Hamza, HAON Life Sciences emerged from a deep understanding of stem cell biology and its potential in neurodevelopment. The company’s lead therapy, CanVas-001, was developed based on compelling evidence that ECFCs could restore brain function following oxygen deprivation.
The team brings together decades of experience in translational medicine, clinical neuroscience, and biotech leadership, setting the stage for breakthrough treatments in vulnerable patient populations underserved by traditional pharmaceuticals.
Looking Ahead: Clinical Trials and Broader Impact
With DTIF funding secured, clinical trials for CanVas-001 are on the horizon, positioning HAON Life Sciences to make a meaningful impact on infants affected by HIE and their families. The platform’s broader potential includes pipeline expansion into adult neurodegenerative disorders, suggesting HAON’s work could extend far beyond neonatal care.
As HAON Life Sciences moves toward clinical validation, it is helping to usher in a new era of neuroprotective regenerative medicine—offering real hope where few options have existed before.
