POXEL Enters Agreement with SCYNEXIS for Sale of PXL770
POXEL (PXXLF) entered into a definitive agreement with SCYNEXIS (SCYX) in connection with the sale of its drug candidate PXL770. PXL-770 is a novel, highly selective, direct AMPK activator developed for the treatment of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, the leading genetic cause of end-stage renal disease. This product has been designed to act on several underlying mechanisms of ADPKD by reducing cyst growth and disease progression. PXL770 has been granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is protected by existing patents until at least 2041. To date, ADPKD has only one approved treatment, Jynarque, which generated approximately $1.5B in sales in the U.S. in 2024, despite limited patient adoption due to safety, tolerability, and follow-up constraints. Under the terms of the asset disposal agreement, SCYNEXIS will make an upfront payment of $8M to Poxel SA, to which may be added future payments of up to $188M triggered based on the completion of various clinical and commercial milestones. SCYNEXIS expects to initiate a Phase 2 proof-of-concept study in patients with ADPKD in the fourth quarter of 2026, with a first efficacy reading expected in the second half of 2027. It is specified that IPF, as the first beneficiary of Trust 3 which has owned the PXL770 asset since September 30, 2024, authorized the transfer of this asset to the assets of POXEL SA for sale to Scynexis. In return, IPF will receive 75% of the amounts paid by Scynexis which will be allocated to the repayment of its debt. However, IPF has agreed that a portion of the amounts received in respect of the upfront payment and the 2 clinical milestone payments will be set aside for Poxel, to secure the future financing of the company. These amounts may be used according to the company's future needs and under the conditions defined in the Tranche D PDR documentation. Also, Poxel will have the option to cancel these additional commitments within three months of their availability, if the company considers that they are no longer necessary.