Genflow Biosciences Secures £434,083 Investment to Launch Gene Therapy Trial in Aged Dogs
Key Insights
Genflow Biosciences (search) has received a £434,083 institutional investment to accelerate its 2025 programs, including a clinical trial testing SIRT6 (search) gene therapy in aged dogs.
The company has commenced a randomized, controlled trial with 28 dogs aged 10+ years to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its proprietary SIRT6 (search)-centenarian gene therapy for age-related decline.
CEO Dr. Eric Leire has separately invested £500,000 in the company, calling it "a strong vote of confidence in our science" as Genflow advances research that could potentially benefit both veterinary and human medicine.
Genflow Biosciences (search), the only longevity company listed in Europe, has secured a £434,083 investment from a leading institution to advance its gene therapy programs targeting the aging process. The company has also launched a proof-of-concept clinical trial to evaluate its proprietary SIRT6 (search)-centenarian gene therapy in aged dogs.
The institutional investor has applied for 41,341,324 ordinary shares at a price of 1.05p, representing the maximum number of shares available without requiring a prospectus. These shares are expected to be admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange around April 10, 2025.
In a separate transaction, Genflow's CEO Dr. Eric Leire has invested £500,000 through an allotment of 62.5 million shares at 0.8 pence each, which he subsequently sold to an identified purchaser at the same price.
"This investment, without applying any discount, is a strong vote of confidence in our science," said Dr. Leire. "With this support, we are well-positioned to accelerate our research and bring us closer to delivering impactful solutions to patients."
Dog Clinical Trial Details
The newly secured funding, combined with previously awarded government grants, will accelerate Genflow's planned 2025 programs, with particular focus on its clinical trial in aged dogs. The company has commenced a randomized, controlled trial involving 28 dogs aged 10+ years, conducted in partnership with the renowned CRO, Syngene.
The trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of Genflow's proprietary SIRT6 (search) gene therapy over a 6-month treatment period, followed by 6 months of assessment. The study will compare dogs receiving intravenous injections of the SIRT6 gene therapy against an untreated control group.
Key endpoints of the trial include:
- Biological age estimation via GRIM methylation clock
- Muscle strength and mass measurements
- Mitochondrial function assessment
- Coat quality evaluation
- Overall health indicators
"As a devoted dog owner myself, I have a 9-year-old golden retriever, I know firsthand the desire we all share for more happy, healthy years with our beloved pets," said Dr. Leire. "Our goal is not just to extend their lifespan, but to enhance their quality of life. By targeting biological aging in dogs, we also can unlock groundbreaking insights that could revolutionize both veterinary and human medicine."
Translational Potential for Human Applications
The dog trial represents more than just an advancement in veterinary medicine. Dogs experience many age-related conditions similar to humans, making them valuable translational models for studying interventions that could eventually benefit human patients.
Genflow's lead compound, GF-1002, works through the delivery of a centenarian variant of the SIRT6 (search) gene, which has shown promising results in preclinical studies. The company plans to begin human clinical trials in 2025, focusing on MASH (search) (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (search)), the most prevalent chronic liver disease for which there are currently no effective treatments.
Company Leadership and Market Position
Tamara Joseph, Chair of Genflow, commented on the institutional investment: "We are extremely pleased to have been approached by an institution who wishes to support Genflow in its journey in pioneering gene therapies to decelerate the aging process. The use of these proceeds will accelerate the Company's proposed studies and trials in aged dogs, an issue which has attracted a great deal of press coverage, including in recent weeks."
Founded in 2020, Genflow Biosciences (search) (LSE:GENF) (OTCQB:GENFF) is headquartered in the UK with R&D facilities in Belgium. The company is pioneering gene therapies to decelerate the aging process, with the goal of promoting longer and healthier lives while addressing the challenges of a rapidly aging global population.
Following the admission of the new shares, Genflow's enlarged issued share capital will comprise 391,047,942 ordinary shares, excluding Dr. Leire's equity participation. The company's current stock price stands at 0.84 pence, representing a 54% decrease over the past 12 months.
As the field of longevity research continues to evolve, Genflow's innovative approach to targeting the fundamental mechanisms of aging positions it at the forefront of developing potential therapies that could transform both animal and human health in the coming years.