About
We are Developing Innovative Drugs for Metabolic Diseases
Poxel is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments for chronic serious diseases with metabolic pathophysiology, with a focus on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and rare disorders. Poxel has clinical and earlier-stage programs from its adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator and deuterium-modified thiazolidinedione (dTZD) platforms targeting chronic and rare metabolic diseases. Poxel’s first-in-class lead product, Imeglimin, that targets mitochondrial dysfunction, is now marketed under the name TWYMEEG® for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in Japan.
Mission & Vision
Our Strategy
Our goals are to develop innovative therapies for the treatment of serious chronic and rare diseases with underlying metabolic pathophysiology. To achieve these goals, we are pursuing the following strategy:
- Advance each one of our programs in one therapeutic area with PXL065 prioritized in NASH and PXL770 in rare diseases (ALD, ADPKD) into later stage development
- Continue to maximize value of Imeglimin (TWYMEEG) by supporting our partner, Sumitomo Pharma, in all countries covered by our partnership
- Advance Imeglimin for the treatment of type 2 diabetes to commercialization through selected regional partnerships outside Sumitomo Pharma territories
- Develop and commercialize our rare metabolic diseases portfolio
- Opportunistically enter into strategic collaborations
Scientific Focus
Targeting Cellular Energy Metabolism
We believe that targeting cellular energy regulation pathways is of critical importance as imbalances are at the root of metabolic diseases. Each of our clinical programs address significant targets in the energy metabolism pathways:
- PXL065 selectively targets non-genomic (non-PPAR) pathways modulated by TZDs including inhibition of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC), a fuel gatekeeper
- PXL770 activates the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an important energy sensor
- Imeglimin targets mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondria being the power stations of the cell
Leading Expertise in Metabolic Diseases Backed by Years of Experience
We were founded in 2009 by focused group of scientific and drug development leaders from Merck Serono through a spin-off of its metabolic-focused business, as part of a strategic realignment following the acquisition of Serono by Merck. Our scientific expertise is based on the understanding of key mechanisms involved in metabolic pathways and diseases and the innovation needed to make an impact on the current standard of care.
Poxel’s first-in-class lead product, TWYMEEG (Imeglimin), that targets mitochondrial dysfunction, was approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in Japan in June 2021 and is now commercialized. With this approval, Poxel is entitled to receive milestones, sales-based payments and royalties from Sumitomo Pharma. Poxel has a strategic partnership with Sumitomo Pharma for Imeglimin in Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan and nine other Southeast Asian countries.
Our management team and Board of Directors have extensive pharmaceutical industry experience spanning the spectrum of drug research and development to commercialization, patient access and life-cycle management. Our management team combines extensive experience in metabolic pathways and indications, rare diseases, clinical research and development, and global regulatory affairs, with the business and financial expertise needed for drug development and corporate partnerships.
We are continuing to build a world-class metabolic research and development organization with offices in Lyon, France, Boston, Massachusetts and Tokyo, Japan.