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Highlights
- CORXEL partners with Sanofi for exclusive rights to develop and commercialize aficamten in Greater China.
- CORXEL acquires worldwide rights (excluding Greater China) for CX11, an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist targeting obesity and type 2 diabetes.
- Phase 3 trials for CX11 in China have commenced, with global Phase 2 trials set to begin in 2025.
RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd (LSE:RTW), a London Stock Exchange-listed investment company focused on high-growth life sciences assets, has highlighted two transformative milestones from its portfolio company, CORXEL Pharmaceuticals. These achievements reinforce CORXEL’s commitment to addressing critical gaps in cardiometabolic disease treatments worldwide.
Sanofi Collaboration for Aficamten in Greater China
On December 20, CORXEL finalized a definitive agreement with Sanofi, granting the pharmaceutical giant exclusive rights to develop and commercialize aficamten, an investigational cardiac myosin inhibitor, in Greater China. Aficamten is a next-generation small molecule designed to selectively inhibit cardiac myosin, offering potential as a breakthrough therapy for heart-related conditions. The transaction has since closed, marking a significant milestone in CORXEL’s strategy to expand its global footprint.
Acquisition of CX11 for Global Development
Three days later, on December 23, CORXEL announced its acquisition of CX11 (also known as VCT220) from Vincentage. CX11, an oral glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), holds promise for treating cardiometabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 RAs are known for their ability to lower body weight, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce glucose levels and appetite.
What sets CX11 apart is its oral, once-daily formulation, which offers significant convenience and accessibility compared to injectable GLP-1 RAs. Additionally, its lower manufacturing cost could make it a more affordable option for patients.
Clinical Progress and Future Plans
In a Phase 2 clinical trial conducted in China, CX11 demonstrated competitive weight loss outcomes with favorable safety and tolerability profiles. Following this success, a registrational Phase 3 study in obese and overweight patients in China was initiated in November 2024.
Looking ahead, CORXEL plans to launch a global (excluding Greater China) Phase 2 trial for CX11 in 2025, focusing on the treatment of obesity and overweight patients. This move underscores CORXEL’s ambition to make CX11 a widely accessible therapy for a growing global population affected by cardiometabolic diseases.
Impact on RTW Biotech Opportunities
RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd views these developments as pivotal for CORXEL's growth and its own portfolio value. CORXEL’s strategic partnerships and acquisitions highlight its innovative approach to addressing unmet medical needs in cardiometabolic diseases, further solidifying its position as a leader in this space.
As CORXEL advances aficamten and CX11 in collaboration with industry leaders and through clinical development, the potential to transform patient outcomes in cardiometabolic care grows ever more tangible. RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd is well-positioned to benefit from CORXEL’s trajectory in the coming years.
