GENEXTRA S.p.A.
Piazzetta Bossi, 4 – 20121 Milano, ITALY
Telephone: 0039 02 36515117
Fax: 0039 02 36515115
Web site: info@genextra.it
E-mail: www.genextra.it
Contact: Dr. Federica Draghi

At a Glance
Status: SME
Date of foundation: 2003

Main Activity

Genextra is a private biopharmaceutical holding committed to the discovery and development of innovative therapeutics primarily for the cure of cancer, age-related and metabolic diseases.
Genextra develops its programs through five operative subsidiaries: Congenia, DAC, Tethis, Intercept Pharmaceuticals and OncoMark. Genextra expects to continue to leverage and expand its in-house discovery capabilities, while pursuing program-oriented collaborations, necessary to gain access to scientific expertise and proprietary pipeline leads. The efficiency and flexibility of Genextra’s unique business model and holding structure is specifically designed to encourage and facilitate partnering efforts at any stage of drug development.
Research programs:
Targeting nuclear bile acid receptors –(intercept pharmaceuticals)
Intercept’s primary target, FXR, regulates signalling pathways that are involved in bile acid metabolism and liver fibrosis. The most advanced compound is INT-747, currently in Phase II for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis and under investigation for other diseases associated with liver fibrosis (NASH, NAFLD).
>HDAC inhibitors - (DAC)
DAC is developing programs based on the Company’s histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. Currently, the most advanced compound in pre-IND is being optimized as a topical application for skin cancer. In parallel, DAC is further investigating other HDACi for their potential in solid and haematological cancers.
Targeting P66/PTP IN THE Mitochondria – (Congenia)
Congenia discovers and develops small-molecule compounds designed to modulate the activity of two mitochondrial targets: the p66Shc protein and the permeability transition pore (PTP), both involved in cellular ageing, senescence and apoptosis. Congenia’s current pipeline of preclinical and discovery candidates addresses multiple indications, including complications from diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders as well as other diseases deriving from cellular ageing.
PMCS for nanostructured films – (Tethis)
Tethis has developed a pulsed microplasma cluster source (PMCS) for thin nanostrucured biocompatible film deposition. The technology can be used to coat large surface areas with nanofilms which are applicable to a range of uses. Tethis is focused on utilising this technology for use in biomedical applications within the in vitro diagnostics and drug discovery areas such as: safe and efficient gene transduction in human primary cells; retroviral arrays of nanostructured films for phenotype screening and immunocell-array for high content screening.
Cancer biomarkers – (Oncomark)
OncoMark is developing gene based biomarkers for breast and lung cancer.

Company Strengths

R&D CAPACITY: Thanks to the affiliation with top Italian research institutes, such as the European Institute of Oncology, Genextra has preferential access to two clinical institutions which support its preclinical efforts. In addition Genextra has two independent R&D facilities for Tethis and Intercept.
EXPERTISE: By recruiting top-quality scientific leaders, Genextra was able to build a significant expertise base which, to date, has advanced candidates through discovery faster than industry average. Genextra’s scientists have an established track record of identifying innovative new targets like the mitochondrial protein p66 and HDAC. Genextra was able to proceed to the validation of these targets and to the identification and optimisation for pre-clinical development.

Customer References
Collaborations with Evotec, Selex Communications (Finmeccanica Group), Nikem Research.
Academic collaborations with IFOM-IEO, University of Milan, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", University of Perugia, University of Bologna, University of Padua.

Sector
BIOTECHNOLOGY
MEDICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
-biopharmaceutical
-nanotechnology
-diagnostics
-drug development
-research & development

Type of Cooperation
GENERAL CO-OPERATION
-JOINT CREATION OF AN ENTERPRISE, CONSORTIUM OR HOLDING
-DIRECT INVESTMENTS
-NEW PROJECTS DEVELOPMENT
-DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PRODUCTS
-TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OR PRODUCTION LICENSE