Olix pharmaceuticals

OliX Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company specializing in the development of RNAi therapeutics. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Suwon, South Korea, OliX focuses on creating treatments for various disorders by down-regulating the expression of disease-causing genes using its proprietary RNAi technology. The company's core platform, asymmetric siRNA (asiRNA), is designed to deliver gene silencing comparable to RNAi while significantly reducing siRNA-mediated side effects such as off-target gene silencing and immune stimulation.

OliX has developed two key therapeutic RNAi platforms: cell penetrating asiRNA (cp-asiRNA) and GalNAc-asiRNA. The cp-asiRNA platform enables easier delivery of siRNA through simple local administration into organs such as the skin and eyes without requiring special formulations or instruments. The GalNAc-asiRNA platform targets therapeutic siRNA molecules specifically to hepatocytes through infrequent subcutaneous administration designed for long duration.

The company's pipeline includes treatments for skin conditions, eye disorders, lung diseases, and liver-related indications. As of 2023, OliX's most advanced candidate, OLX101A for hypertrophic scars, was in Phase 2 clinical trials. Other notable programs include OLX10212 for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which completed a Phase 1 study in November 2023, and OLX72021 for androgenic alopecia, which began Phase 1 trials in June 2023.

In addition to its RNAi focus, OliX expanded into mRNA therapeutics in 2021 through the establishment of a subsidiary, mCureX Therapeutics, which aims to develop mRNA vaccines and drugs, initially focusing on a Covid-19 vaccine. The company operates facilities in South Korea and the US, with plans to construct an RNA synthesis GMP manufacturing facility at its San Diego site.

Key customers and partnerships

OliX Pharmaceuticals has established several strategic partnerships to advance its pipeline and expand its reach. In 2020, the company entered into a license and collaboration agreement with Théa Open Innovation for the development of ophthalmic treatments OLX301A and OLX301D. The agreement granted Théa worldwide rights outside Asia-Pacific for these programs.

In May 2023, OliX signed a memorandum of understanding with DynamiCure Biotechnology to develop RNA-based antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) therapeutics, combining OliX's RNAi technology with DynamiCure's antibody expertise.