Exiris is a preclinical stage company that uses a unique combination of technology platforms to discover novel oncology targets and to generate innovative therapeutic agents for the treatment of oncology indications with high unmet medical need.
Exiris was founded in 2010 by a group of former Merck & Co. scientists to provide an answer to the challenges of oncology drug development. Despite the considerable progress in our understanding of human tumors and their underlying molecular biology, cancer is still one of the major causes of mortality in the western world. The difficulty of developing oncology drugs is highlighted by the low success rate of novel approvals: only 5% of new oncology drug candidates proceed from Phase 1 to regulatory approval.
There is a significant need for better preclinical models and technologies to design predictive translational studies and reach early Go/ No Go decisions in the preclinical space and in the clinic.
At Exiris we have significant experience, obtained during many years of highly successful translational research done for one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, in generating preclinical pharmacology data to guide clinical development, in selecting appropriate in vitro and in vivo models and in using preclinical data to reach clinical Go/No Go decisions.
Exiris focuses on primary tumor models, cancer stem cell models, transgenic animals and innovative bioinformatic technologies to identify novel targets for antibody and peptide drugs. Exiris is also building novel antibody technologies and a platform technology for conjugation of antibodies or peptides to cytotoxic agents.
Exiris seeks to develop its products up to preclinical proof of concept and will partner clinical development. Exiris also provides its expertise and experimental platform on a fee-for-service basis. We are also open to co-development deals, and are actively pursuing the in-licensing and internal development of highly innovative agents.