Oxagen

Oxagen Limited was a biopharmaceutical company that developed small molecule drugs to treat a range of inflammatory and respiratory diseases. The company was spun out of the University of Oxford in 1997 by founder Trevor Nicholls and was initially known as Oxford Applied Genetics. It was headquartered in Abingdon, United Kingdom.

The company's primary focus was on drug discovery and development, with a portfolio that included treatments for asthma, allergic rhinitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. A key program was the development of a CRTH2 antagonist, OC000459, which underwent Phase IIb clinical studies for moderate persistent asthma. Oxagen's research identified the significant role of the CRTH2 gene in asthma and other inflammatory diseases through its gene-disease association studies.

Throughout its history, Oxagen secured significant funding from a strong base of investors. It raised £30 million in its first venture capital round in 2000 and a total of $86.5M over two subsequent rounds. Major investors included Novartis Venture Funds, MPM Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, Omega Funds, and the Wellcome Trust. The company is now listed as out of business.

Keywords: biopharmaceutical, small molecule drugs, drug discovery, drug development, inflammatory diseases, respiratory diseases, asthma, allergic rhinitis, CRTH2 antagonist, genomics, clinical trials, University of Oxford spin-out, venture capital, OC000459, autoimmune disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, gene-disease association, therapeutics, life sciences