Company overview

Xigen S.A. is a Swiss biopharmaceutical company that concentrates on research and development of novel peptide therapeutics, which can significantly improve the treatment of diseases with high unmet need. The company was founded in 2002 in Lausanne, Switzerland as a spin-off from the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV). Xigen has recently begun its negotiations with potential investors.

Xigen develops drugs for the treatment of degenerative diseases with a focus on small organ protection and neurodegenerative diseases. Pre-clinical programs have been established for the protection of the auditory hair cells for the treatment of acute hearing loss and the protection of pancreatic islet transplants for diabetes type 1 patients.

Technology overview

Xigen’s therapeutic discovery and development programs are focused on small peptide-drugs, designed to target and block intracellular signaling processes that lead to cell death. These processes are causing a number of diseases including diabetes type I, hearing loss, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The company’s technology is based on the founder’s biological, chemistry and clinical expertise and is a result of over 5 years of research at the CHUV.

Perspectives

Following the completion of pre-clinical trials and toxicology studies, Xigen plans to demonstrate a proof of efficacy of the peptide-drugs in humans with an acute hearing loss clinical trial expected to commence in 2003. In parallel Xigen will enter collaboration agreements with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in order to expand the business potential of the drugs in chronic degenerative diseases.