Endogena

Endogena Therapeutics Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that operates with the mission to repair and regenerate tissues and organs. The company was co-founded in August 2016 by Matthias Steger, PhD, MBA, and Professor Dr. Gisbert Schneider. Steger, who also serves as CEO, brings over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, including roles at Roche where he established a stem cell research program, and a background in investment banking. His entrepreneurial drive led to the creation of Endogena, aiming to shift the treatment paradigm for degenerative conditions associated with aging and genetic disorders.

The company's core business revolves around a drug discovery platform that leverages artificial intelligence to identify small molecules. This technology is designed to selectively regulate the body's own adult stem and progenitor cells, a process known as endogenous regeneration, to facilitate controlled tissue repair. This approach differs from implanting external stem cells by aiming to activate the patient's innate regenerative capabilities. Endogena's business model is centered on developing a pipeline of these small-molecule drugs and advancing them through clinical trials to eventually obtain regulatory approval and commercialize them. The company is privately funded, having secured a total of $29 million in Series A financing from investors including Rejuveron Life Sciences AG and DEFTA Partners.

Endogena's product pipeline primarily targets degenerative diseases of the eye. Its lead product candidate, EA-2353, is a small molecule developed for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a leading cause of inherited blindness affecting approximately 1.5 million people globally. Administered via intravitreal injection, EA-2353 is designed to activate dormant retinal stem cells, prompting them to differentiate into new photoreceptors to restore vision. A key benefit of this product is its gene-independent nature, making it a potential treatment for RP patients regardless of the specific genetic mutation causing the disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted EA-2353 both Orphan Drug and Fast Track designations. The company initiated a Phase 1/2a clinical trial for EA-2353 in July 2022.

Another key program is EA-2351, targeting geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This compound works by reactivating retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to promote wound repair. In October 2023, the FDA cleared the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for EA-2351, with a first-in-human study planned to start in 2024. Beyond ophthalmology, Endogena's pipeline includes earlier-stage programs for conditions like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and hematopoietic recovery.

Keywords: endogenous regenerative medicine, retinitis pigmentosa treatment, geographic atrophy therapy, small-molecule drugs, stem cell activation, clinical-stage biotechnology, AI drug discovery, Matthias Steger, retinal degeneration, photoreceptor regeneration, age-related macular degeneration, ophthalmology therapeutics, gene-independent treatment, tissue repair, neurodegenerative diseases, EA-2353, EA-2351, clinical trials, FDA Fast Track, Orphan Drug Designation