Anokion SA Acquires Kanyos Bio to Advance Innovative Celiac Disease Therapy KAN-101

On September 12, 2019, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media reports that biotechnology company Anokion SA (Anokion) had acquired Kanyos Bio (Kanyos). The specific financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

Following the completion of this acquisition, Anokion will continue the development of KAN-101, a novel drug for the treatment of celiac disease based on research findings from Kanyos Bio. The candidate is currently in the preclinical development stage, with an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expected by the end of 2019.

Celiac disease, also known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy or non-tropical sprue, has a higher incidence in North America, Northern Europe, and Australia, while it is relatively rare in China. The male-to-female ratio among patients ranges from 1:1.3 to 1:2.0, with females being more commonly affected than males. The peak age of onset is primarily in childhood and young adulthood; however, the incidence among the elderly has been increasing in recent years. Patients with this condition present with symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and fatigue.

Kanyos Bio, a biotechnology company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Massachusetts, USA, is dedicated to providing more effective treatments for autoimmune diseases. The company is currently developing immunotherapies for type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. Kanyos Bio’s proprietary immune tolerance platform utilizes proteins or antigens to deliver precise, targeted disease treatments without the side effects associated with conventional immunotherapies. Anokion’s platform has the potential to develop therapies for most antigen-mediated diseases, holding significant promise for clinical applications.

Anokion, a biotechnology company founded in 2010 and headquartered in Switzerland, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients with immune-mediated diseases. The company focuses on developing innovative therapies for prevalent and rare autoimmune disorders, including celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes. Leveraging its proprietary immunology platform, Anokion modulates natural pathways in the liver to address the underlying causes of autoimmune diseases and restore immune tolerance.

Dr. John A. Hohneker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Anokion, stated, “Since its inception, Anokion has developed innovative therapies for both prevalent and rare autoimmune diseases, with initial therapeutic focus on patients with celiac disease and multiple sclerosis. Leveraging our immune platform and targeting technologies, we have pioneered novel approaches to modulate natural pathways in the liver to restore normal immune tolerance, and we are translating this knowledge into innovative therapies that can effectively improve patient health outcomes.”

Dr. John A. Hohneker added, “The strong support from existing investors affirms the success we have achieved to date and reflects their interest in the field of immune tolerance. There is substantial unmet need among patients with autoimmune diseases, and the field of immune tolerance holds exceptional development potential.”

(Compiled by Hu Yifan)