Cytos

About Cytos

Cytos Biotechnology AG was a Swiss biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a new class of drugs called Immunodrugs, designed to stimulate the patient's immune system to produce therapeutic antibodies or T-cell responses to combat chronic diseases. Founded in 1995 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, the company established its headquarters in Schlieren, Switzerland. One of its founders was Wolfgang A. Renner. A significant milestone for the company occurred in 2002 when it went public on the SIX Swiss Exchange through a reverse merger with Asklia Holding AG.

The company's core business revolved around the discovery, development, and commercialization of biopharmaceutical preparations for treating and preventing common chronic illnesses, such as allergic asthma. Its main product candidate was CYT003, a virus-like particle (VLP) intended to treat allergic asthma and rhinitis. However, in April 2014, Cytos announced that a Phase IIb trial for CYT003 proved to be ineffective, leading the company to wind down its key operational activities and undergo mass dismissals.

Following this setback, Cytos sought strategic alternatives. In December 2015, a pivotal agreement was announced to combine with Kuros Biosurgery Holding AG, a private company specializing in tissue repair and regeneration. This transaction was structured as a reverse merger, which was completed in January 2016. Upon completion, the combined entity was renamed Kuros Biosciences AG, with former Kuros shareholders holding approximately 80% of the new company. The original Cytos management team stepped down, and the Kuros executive team took leadership of the newly formed Kuros Biosciences. While Cytos as an independent entity ceased to exist, its VLP technology and related partnerships were carried forward by the new company, providing potential future revenue through milestones and royalties.