Berlin Cures has formed a Scientific Advisory Board and appointed its first two members, the private company announced on Wednesday.

Professor Beda M. Stadler and Professor Wilhelm Vetter will work to advance the clinical development of BC 007, a DNA aptamer-based compound that binds to and eliminates pathogenic autoantibodies against G-protein coupled receptors.

BC 007 is the first drug designed to target the autoimmune cause of heart failure, as well as the symptoms of the disease, the company explained.

As well as being a publicly-known personality, Professor Stadler held the position of director of the Institute of Immunology at the University of Bern. He is known for his research in the field of allergy and autoimmunity, preparation of recombinant antibodies and development of therapeutic vaccines.

Professor Vetter served as Specialist in Internal Medicine (Internist) in Chief and held the role of chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Zurich for many years. His cardiovascular research activities form the basis of almost all modern drugs in the field of blood pressure regulation, and in his role of Principal Investigator he was the head of many clinical studies.