About Us
What is Xerostomia?
Xerostomia, or dry mouth, affects nearly 1 in 5 adults over the age of 50, yet it remains one of the most under recognized and insufficiently diagnosed oral health issues. This condition occurs when the salivary glands fail to produce enough saliva, leading to severe discomfort, difficulty speaking, swallowing, eating, and disrupting sleep. The consequences extend beyond an individual’s quality of life, as patients face higher risk for oral infections, tooth decay, gum disease, and digestive problems.
Xerostomia can be caused by a variety of factors, including radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, autoimmune diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome, medications, or simply aging. Unfortunately, existing treatments are limited to temporary relief, without addressing the underlying cause of salivary gland dysfunction.
Our Solution
At Hydronovo we’re committed to changing the therapeutic landscape.
Our innovative solution, Ceviginate (CVGN8), is the first regenerative treatment designed to restore salivary gland function and reverse the effects of dry mouth. We accomplish this using a patented formulation and unique delivery method to stimulate organ regeneration by mimicking the role of nerves.
Our science-backed approach demonstrates that Ceviginate offers a long-term, transformative method to restore saliva production through stem cell reactivation.
Our Story
Hydronovo originated from an academic collaboration rooted in shared passion for regenerative medicine.
Dr. Sarah Knox and Dr. Chelsea Bahney met as presenters at a scientific conference at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Each was studying the role of nerves in tissue regeneration from distinct perspectives—Dr. Knox in salivary glands and Dr. Bahney in bone. Their discussions led to an ongoing exchange of data and ideas, revealing overlapping biological mechanisms and enabling the development of a novel therapeutic approach to tissue regeneration.
That collaboration evolved into a focused effort to address an unmet clinical need: the repair and regeneration of damaged salivary glands. With support from the National Institutes of Health through the C-DOCTOR Program, the team expanded to include Drs. Eben Alsberg and Oju Jeon, biomaterials experts from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), to capitalize on their hydrogel-based delivery platform.
With support from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and NIH Small Business Phase II funding, Hydronovo was formalized as a start-up company and has since secured more than $8.7 million in non-dilutive funding. Progress to date has been driven by rigorous data generation and compelling demonstrations of efficacy. The product has undergone initial review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the company is on track to initiate an FDA-approved Phase I clinical trial in early 2027.
Hydronovo is motivated by the long-term impact of treatment on patients’ quality of life. During the development of this work, Dr. Knox was diagnosed with a non-malignant brain tumor and underwent surgery followed by radiation treatment. Her experience and survivorship post-radiation provide a direct perspective on the clinical needs the company seeks to address, inform product development decisions, and reinforce the importance of improving outcomes beyond disease control.
