Cambridge, UK - Healx, the AI-powered, patient-inspired, techbio company pioneering the next generation of drug discovery, announces that it has signed an investment agreement with its long-term partner, Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF). Milestone-driven payments from CTF will support the advance of Healx’s AI-powered neurofibromatosis programme including its lead candidate, HLX-1502, which is on course to enter a Phase 2 clinical trial in the coming months.
Healx has partnered with CTF since 2020 to combine its cutting-edge AI platform and drug discovery expertise in identifying novel treatments for rare diseases such as Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) with CTF’s preclinical and clinical research and patient knowledge.
NF1 is a rare genetic condition that causes tumours to grow along the nerves. The two most common types of tumours are plexiform and cutaneous. Currently, there is only one approved treatment, a MEK inhibitor, for a subset of patients with plexiform neurofibromas. There are no approved pharmacological treatments for patients with cutaneous neurofibromas, representing a significant unmet need for the estimated 3 million people with the disease across the globe.
Identified using Healx’s AI-informed approach, HLX-1502 has a novel mechanism of action, and is supported by data that suggest a favourable safety profile. Healx plans to develop HLX-1502 for both plexiform and cutaneous subtypes of NF1. Financial details are not disclosed.
Dr Tim Guilliams, co-founder and CEO, Healx said: “CTF is a long-standing partner of Healx, and this investment underscores their confidence in the potential of Healx’s neurofibromatosis programme to bring novel treatments to patients with unmet need. Over the years, Healx has been able to appreciate CTF’s expertise not only in terms of patient understanding, but also in the broader approach to developing treatments for this highly debilitating disease. Healx is pleased that CTF has decided to deepen its commitment to our AI-enabled research journey to deliver much-needed therapies to this patient group.”
Dr Annette Bakker, President, CTF said: “Patient-centric research holds a unique position in the R&D ecosystem and the Children’s Tumor Foundation is pleased to provide this approach to support Healx’s AI-driven search for new neurofibromatosis treatments. We operate as a strategic partner to drug discovery and development pioneers such as Healx, and we hope our commitment will encourage others to invest in such organisations who offer a real chance of improving the lives of the millions of NF patients waiting for treatments.”
