Chronogen

About Chronogen

Chronogen Inc., a privately held drug discovery company established in 1988, is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. The company focuses on developing human therapeutics for highly prevalent age-dependent diseases, with an initial emphasis on cardiovascular disorders and cancer. Chronogen's scientific foundation is built upon the work of its Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Siegfried Hekimi, a Professor of Biology at McGill University. Dr. Hekimi's research into the molecular mechanisms of aging, particularly discoveries related to proteins that control lifespan in model organisms, provides the basis for the company's discovery programs.

The company's core strategy involves identifying metabolic pathways that influence age-dependent diseases and pinpointing ideal junctures for drug intervention. To achieve this, Chronogen employs a suite of technologies, including genetics, in vivo screening, and computational chemistry. A key aspect of their methodology is the initial identification of highly conserved pathways through the study of the model organism C. elegans. The company's intellectual property includes patents for protein families and screening technologies, which form the basis for its drug discovery and development efforts. In a significant milestone, Chronogen secured an exclusive worldwide license from McGill University for proteins CLK-1, CLK-2, and ISP-1, which are involved in the production of reactive oxygen species that can cause cell damage.

Chronogen's business model revolves around the discovery and development of novel drugs. The company has developed a class of drugs called Cellular Oxidative Stress Modulators. For example, their compound CHGN111, an inhibitor of the mitochondrial enzyme CLK-1, was developed to prevent cutaneous phototoxicity induced by photodynamic therapy (PDT). The company has secured $12.5 million in total funding over three rounds from investors including Desjardins, BDC, and MMV Financial. Its first funding round was in November 2003, and it has since progressed to a Series B stage.