Genflow Biosciences PLC has strengthened its position in longevity science through strategic partnerships and pipeline advancement, marking significant progress in its gene therapy programs based on a centenarian variant of the SIRT6 gene. The London-listed biotech, Europe's only publicly traded company focused solely on longevity science, has formalized collaborations designed to accelerate development of treatments targeting age-related diseases, muscle loss, and degenerative eye conditions.
Strategic Partnership Framework
The company has signed a Master Service Agreement with Belgian research partner CER Groupe, formalizing a collaboration that has been running informally for several years. The agreement establishes a framework for joint development and assessment of Genflow's drug candidates using standardized project management tools to streamline processes and improve delivery times.
"Our partnership with CER has been instrumental in supporting our R&D efforts to date," said Genflow CEO Dr Eric Leire. "Formalising this collaboration through the MSA will enable greater operational alignment and strategic agility as we continue to accelerate our pipeline."
CER Groupe, a private Belgian laboratory, provides biopharmaceutical support services including manufacturing and testing of therapies in line with international safety and quality standards. The partnership aims to provide Genflow with access to CER's facilities and scientific expertise to speed up early-stage development of experimental therapies.
Additionally, Genflow has partnered with Heureka Labs, a medical artificial intelligence firm spun out from Duke University, further strengthening its research and development infrastructure as it prepares for upcoming clinical trial applications.
Pipeline Progress and Manufacturing Success
Genflow's lead candidate GF-1002, targeting metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), has demonstrated promising results in manufacturing tests that exceeded expectations. The company is now conducting pivotal studies to support regulatory filings for this program.
The company has also initiated a clinical trial in aging dogs and is refining a muscle-loss treatment using dual-gene technology. In ophthalmology, Genflow has launched an initiative aimed at tackling glaucoma and corneal disease using non-viral gene delivery methods.
Intellectual Property Expansion
Genflow has made significant strides in expanding its global patent footprint, with its core SIRT6 application advancing through key stages in both Europe and Japan. The company has applied for additional grant funding to support patent filings across the United States, Canada, Australia, and China, demonstrating its commitment to protecting its intellectual property on a global scale.
Regulatory and Funding Support
The agreement with CER Groupe "provides a robust research and development framework to accelerate Genflow's pre-IND [Investigational New Drug] gene therapy programs," according to the company. Several of Genflow's programs are supported by grants from the Walloon government in Belgium, providing additional financial backing for its research initiatives.
The company emphasized its focus on high-precision, ethically sound research across all its therapeutic programs, positioning itself to advance multiple candidates through the development pipeline simultaneously while maintaining rigorous scientific standards.
