Bioxodes

Bioxodes is a Belgian clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company founded in 2013 by Professor Edmond Godfroid, based on research from the University of Brussels (ULB) on host-parasite relationships. The company is developing therapies for thrombo-inflammatory diseases, with a lead drug candidate, BIOX-101 (also known as Ir-CPI), for treating intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), a severe form of stroke with no currently approved treatment. In October 2022, Marc Dechamps, a biologist with over 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, was appointed CEO, while Godfroid became COO and CSO.

The company's business model is centered on the clinical development and commercialization of its pipeline assets, starting with BIOX-101. Bioxodes' primary clients are patients suffering from thrombo-inflammatory conditions, initially focusing on the acute hospital setting for stroke. The company's revenue generation will depend on the successful commercialization of its drug candidates following regulatory approvals. To date, Bioxodes has secured significant funding through multiple rounds, including a Series A round that raised approximately €15 million in total, to advance its clinical trials. The company plans to raise an additional €70 million in a Series B round to fund a pivotal Phase 2b trial and further pipeline development.

BIOX-101 is a first-in-class therapeutic derived from a protein found in the saliva of the Ixodes ricinus tick. It features a dual mode of action: it provides a powerful antithrombotic effect by inhibiting coagulation factors FXIa and FXIIa without increasing bleeding risk, and it prevents neuroinflammation by inhibiting the activation of neutrophils. This makes it a promising candidate for treating ICH, where it can be administered within the first 72 hours to prevent secondary brain injuries like swelling and neuronal death. After successful interim results in a Phase 2a trial, Bioxodes is preparing for a potentially registrational Phase 2b trial scheduled to begin in early 2027. The drug has received Orphan Drug Designation in both the US and Europe for the treatment of ICH.

Keywords: thrombo-inflammation, intracerebral hemorrhage, stroke treatment, antithrombotic, neuroinflammation, drug development, clinical-stage biotech, tick saliva protein, factor XIa inhibitor, orphan drug