Genflow Biosciences Ltd (LSE:GENF, OTCQB:GENFF, FRA:WQ5) CEO, Dr Eric Leire, talked with Proactive about the company’s upcoming presentation at the Animal Longevity Summit in Toronto, where it will showcase results from its Age Dogs clinical trial evaluating centenarian SIRT6 gene therapy.
Leire explained that Genflow’s acceptance to present at the independent scientific event represents an important external validation of the company’s methodology and data quality. He said the summit provides an opportunity for the company’s work to be examined by leading scientists and longevity researchers, helping to establish further credibility for the dataset.
The CEO stressed that the October presentation date reflects the conference schedule rather than any delay in Genflow’s activities. He noted that the company continues to analyse data from the trial while maintaining discussions with animal health companies under confidentiality agreements.
Looking ahead, Leire said investors should watch for data relating to both sarcopenia and longevity. He highlighted the importance of understanding how findings from aged dogs may translate into human applications, particularly given Genflow’s ongoing human sarcopenia programme. As Leire stated: “We demonstrated that we have efficacy in mice. Now, we demonstrated that we have efficacy in dogs. What about human and how can we extrapolate this data from this dog study into human use.”
The discussion also covered Genflow’s transition toward mRNA-LNP technology. Leire explained that non-viral delivery systems may address challenges associated with repeated dosing seen with AAV-based approaches. He also referenced the company’s collaboration with Acuitas and efforts to transition its MASH programme to mRNA-LNP technology.
Proactive: Eric, good to speak with you. You’re presenting your SLAB study data at the Animal Longevity Summit in October. In simple terms, what is centenarian SIRT6 gene therapy doing, and why are aged beagles a good real-world test?
Dr Eric Leire: We’re very pleased that Genflow has been accepted to present the results from our Age Dogs clinical trial at the Animal Longevity Summit in Toronto. It’s a perfect fit because the summit focuses on animal longevity and attracts a high-quality audience.
More importantly, acceptance by an independent scientific meeting is a meaningful external checkpoint. It means the field considers our data and methodology rigorous enough to be put under scrutiny, which is an important step in establishing credibility in the dataset.
The summit takes place on October 1 and 2. I want to be clear that the October date reflects the summit calendar, not the pace of our work. There is no delay in our trial or business development efforts.
The timing of the conference slot tells you nothing about the timing of either. As a pre-commercial biotech company, we are deliberate about what we disclose and when we disclose it in order to protect our intellectual property, because premature public disclosure can jeopardise patent rights.
We remain in discussions with animal health companies under confidential agreements, and we continue to analyse data collected in the clinical trial. There is absolutely no delay. Presenting in October does not prevent us from continuing our clinical and business development activities.
Proactive: What should investors be watching for from Genflow up to that conference presentation in October?
Dr Eric Leire: There will be a presentation of data relating to both sarcopenia and longevity. The conference is also attended by many scientists, and there will be a discussion around extrapolating findings from dogs to humans.
We also have a human sarcopenia programme. We demonstrated efficacy in mice, and now we have demonstrated efficacy in dogs. The key question is how we can extrapolate this dog study data into human use. That will be very important for us.
The quality of scientists attending the presentation means they will challenge the work and potentially offer suggestions on how the data could be improved and applied to human indications. That is very important for us.
Proactive: Your chairman is also on a panel this week discussing where RNA therapeutics are heading. Where does Genflow’s approach fit into that?
Dr Eric Leire: We have moved to mRNA-LNP technology using non-viral vectors rather than AAVs. This addresses one of the main issues with AAVs, which is repeated dosing.
AAVs are interesting in terms of expression, and we have generated good results with them. However, there is an immunogenicity issue that can prevent repeat dosing. When targeting tissues that divide, it is important to be able to repeatedly provide the gene of interest to newly generated cells.
This move to mRNA-LNP technology has become very clear across all of our programmes. We have disclosed a collaboration with Acuitas, and we are working hard to transition our MASH programme to mRNA-LNP technology.
That is why the presence of our chairman speaking on mRNA at BIO in San Diego this week makes a great deal of sense.
Proactive: Lots on the boil at the moment. Eric, I hope you’ll continue to keep us posted on your progress.
