Dendrogenix

About Dendrogenix

Dendrogenix is a Belgian biopharmaceutical company founded in 2018, specializing in the development of a novel class of small molecules called Dendrogenins. The company was co-founded by Stéphane Silvente, who now serves as CEO, and Emile Loria, among other business angels. The firm's core mission is to address significant unmet medical needs in neurology and oncology, with a primary focus on hearing loss. Dendrogenix was established after acquiring patents from the French company Affichem and relocating its team to Liège, Belgium.

The company's proprietary technology revolves around Dendrogenins, which are cholesterol derivatives that stimulate cell differentiation and induce the growth of dendrites in the nervous system. These molecules have shown neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties. Dendrogenin A (DDA), the first steroidal alkaloid discovered in mammals, is a key area of their research, arising from the conjugation of a cholesterol epoxide with histamine. Research has shown that DDA levels are decreased in tumors, suggesting its role as a metabolic tumor suppressor.

Dendrogenix's business model is focused on the preclinical and clinical development of its drug candidates. The company's lead compound, DX243, is being developed for age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), a condition for which no approved drug treatments currently exist. A Phase 1/2a clinical trial for DX243 began in late 2023 to evaluate its safety and preliminary efficacy. The company plans to initiate a Phase IIa trial in the first quarter of 2026. Beyond hearing loss, the 'STROMA' R&D program is exploring applications for ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI). In oncology, a drug candidate, DX 101, has demonstrated preclinical efficacy for acute myeloid leukemia and melanoma. The company's strategy involves advancing its products through clinical development, potentially to the end of Phase IIb, before seeking commercialization partnerships.

The company operates with a team of approximately 20 employees and collaborates with world-renowned academic centers, including GIGA-Neurosciences at the University of Liège and the University of Tübingen. Dendrogenix has secured funding from investors such as Noshaq and Wallonie Entreprendre and has an influential board of directors, including Dr. Ingeborg Hochmair, the co-founder and CEO of MED-EL, a manufacturer of cochlear implants.