Genticel and Genkyotex sign agreement to merge

A portfolio of NADPH oxidase (NOX) oral small molecule inhibitors are being developed by Genkyotex, which have therapeutic potential to treat multiple significant clinical indications.

The therapeutic approach of this company is based on a selective inhibition of NOX enzymes that drive a range of disease processes, including fibrosis, inflammatory pain, angiogenesis, cancer growth, and neurodegeneration.

At present, the company is developing two NOX inhibitors and is carrying out research on multiple pre-clinical molecules.

With the combined consolidated cash position of Genkyotex and Genticel, the new group will be able to complete both its Phase II study in PBC with GKT831 and its first Phase I study with GKT771.

Genticel founder, chairman of the management board and CEO Benedikt Timmerman said: “Genticel has evaluated many companies and drug candidates in Europe and the US with the intention of building the most promising drug pipeline possible for the company.

“Following the structured process communicated publicly on several occasions since last July, we elected to move forward with Genkyotex due to its leadership in a novel drug class, which we believe has significant therapeutic potential.”

The completion of the transaction is subject to certain standard conditions, such as the registration of Document E with the French financial market authority Autorité des marchés financier in accordance with article 212-34 of the AMF’s general regulation.

Genkyotex CEO Elias Papatheodorou said: “We are currently the leader in the field of NOX therapeutic discovery and development, and are preparing to initiate our Phase II clinical trial with our lead product candidate, GKT831, in PBC.

“The combined strong cash positions of the two companies will enable us to complete this important trial, enter early clinical development with our second product candidate, GKT771, and continue our discovery activities in other therapeutic fields.”