Inimex Pharmaceuticals

Inimex Pharmaceuticals was a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a novel class of drugs called Innate Defense Regulators (IDRs) to combat infections and manage tissue injury. The company was founded in 2001 by Brett Finlay and R. Hancock, professors from the University of British Columbia, based on their research into immune system modulators. The firm's stated mission was the discovery, development, and commercialization of new medicines that selectively modulate the body's innate immune response.

The company's core technology centered on IDRs, which are small, synthetic peptides designed to trigger the body's innate defenses without causing harmful inflammation. Unlike traditional antibiotics that target bacteria directly, IDRs work by modulating host pathways, specifically by binding to the intracellular adaptor protein p62. This mechanism enhances the body's ability to clear a broad spectrum of pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant strains, and control inflammation, offering potential advantages where conventional antibiotics fail. The lead drug candidate, IMX942 (later SGX942), was developed to treat infections and conditions involving tissue injury, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia, cancer-related mucositis, and infections in chemotherapy patients.

Inimex successfully raised a total of $28 million over three funding rounds. A significant Series B financing round in June 2008 raised US$22 million, led by investors including Morningside Venture Investments, Roche Venture Fund, and Astellas Venture Management. This funding was crucial for advancing IMX942 into clinical trials. The first-in-human Phase 1 safety study of IMX942 began in April 2009. By 2010, the company had successfully completed Phase 1 studies and was planning Phase 2 trials. However, multiple sources indicate that Inimex Pharmaceuticals is now closed or archived.

Keywords: Innate Defense Regulators, IDRs, biopharmaceutical, infectious disease, tissue injury, immune modulation, antibiotic resistance, IMX942, SGX942, p62 protein, clinical-stage, Brett Finlay, peptide drugs, host-directed therapy, inflammation control, mucositis, hospital-acquired infections, venture financing, Burnaby