Promise and (Re)Purpose
ExSight Ventures Invests in InFlammX Therapeutics
Photo by danilo.alvesd on Unsplash
ExSight Ventures is pleased to announce our investment in InflammX Therapeutics, Inc. ("InflammX"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering first-in-class therapies targeting the dysregulated NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Our decision to invest follows years of tracking InflammX’s progress and aligns with an option agreement the company has secured with Bausch + Lomb (B+L). This marks our first investment in the rapidly developing field of orally administered retinal therapeutics.
Since our initial meeting with Dr. Brian Levy, CEO of InflammX, in 2019, we have closely followed the company’s development. Under Dr. Levy and David Pool, COO and CFO, InflammX has made remarkable strides in efficiently advancing its novel therapeutic approach. With the completion of this financing InflammX is well-positioned to execute their 2025 plans.
InflammX’s lead candidate, Xiflam™, is an orally administered small molecule targeting pathological Connexin43 (Cx43) hemichannel modulation, a novel mechanism that disrupts the signaling of the inflammasome-mediated inflammatory cycle. Xiflam™ has the potential to transform the treatment landscape for multiple diseases with high unmet needs, particularly in ophthalmology and nephrology.
Current Indications:
Diabetic Macular Edema (DME): A leading cause of vision loss where current treatments with IVT anti-VEGF injections fail in approximately 50% of cases. InflammX has been able to advance this program into the clinic with funding from the DRCR and Breakthrough T1D (formerly the JDRF). The DRCR Retina Network clinical study in DME recently completed enrollment at sites in the U.S. Since patients in the trial will be orally dosed, the therapeutic effect of Xiflam on biomarkers of active kidney disease, will be measured as an integral component of the study.
Intermediate Age-related Macular Degeneration (iAMD): This is the early stage of the disease prior to vision loss and the precursor of Geographic Atrophy (GA), a devastating condition with significant vision loss. Current therapies for GA require lifelong monthly intravitreal injections which have been shown to slow progression but do not improve the vision. Xiflam™ offers a promising oral alternative which treats both eyes simultaneously with the potential to prevent patients from progressing to later-stage disease with vision loss.
Diabetic Nephropathy (DN): A progressive kidney disease associated with diabetes, with limited therapeutic options available.
By targeting the inflammasome pathway, Xiflam™ introduces a differentiated, patient-friendly approach that could significantly enhance treatment outcomes for blinding and debilitating diseases. “Xiflam™ promise of a low-risk oral treatment for NPDR and early non-exudative age-related macular degeneration would be a major breakthrough in treating my patients," said ExSight co-founder Dr. Michael Nissen. "Oral medications for bilateral retinal disease make a lot of sense to both patients and ophthalmology specialists, particularly in diabetic retinopathy and intermediate ARMD. With regard to the former, receiving injections on a regular bilateral basis is a significant treatment burden to patients, their families, and ophthalmology clinics. This drug would be a game changer for both conditions if proven to be safe and effective," added ExSight cofounder Dr. Firas Rahhal.
“We are thrilled that ExSight Ventures, a pre-eminent company focused on investing in promising technologies in ophthalmology, decided to support the InflammX development program. Orally dosed Xiflam’s novel mechanism of action and the unmet needs of the blinding diseases we are clinically targeting, provides the potential for a disruptive breakthrough by treating sight threatening retinal disease at an early stage, preventing progression to vision loss,” stated InFlammX CEO Brian Levy.
ExSight welcomes the opportunity to support Dr. Levy, Mr, Pool, and the InflammX team on their journey to bring these transformative therapies to patients. We look forward to the continued progress of InflammX and the potential impact of Xiflam™ in redefining treatment paradigms in ophthalmology and beyond.