Kinoxis Therapeutics

What Kinoxis Therapeutics does

Kinoxis Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, founded in 2018 as a spinout from the University of Sydney. The company develops first-in-class small-molecule therapeutics targeting ALOX15, a lipid-signaling enzyme that regulates neuroinflammation in the brain, and oxytocin receptor pathways, for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Its lead candidate, KNX100, is a short-acting ALOX15 inhibitor in Phase 2 development for agitation and aggression associated with dementia, and is being extended transdiagnostically into opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and methamphetamine use disorder. A second ALOX15 candidate, KNX101 (long-acting), is in IND-enabling studies for acute and chronic pain, while the KNX200 series of oxytocin receptor partial agonists is being developed in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim for neuropsychiatric indications.

The company's pipeline is supported by an integrated technology platform combining proprietary medicinal chemistry, translational neuroscience expertise from its University of Sydney founders, and clinical execution through Australian and US trial sites. KNX100 cleared the FDA IND in February 2022 and completed a Phase 1 first-in-human study at Nucleus Network in Melbourne in December 2023. The current CARES-X (KTX-201) Phase 2a study is enrolling 60 patients across 8 Australian sites. Kinoxis has secured FDA IND clearance, competitive NIH HEAL Initiative and NIDA UH3 grants, a NIAAA clinical trial agreement, and a CUREator+ grant, alongside a strategic partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim for the KNX200 program.

Kinoxis has no commercial products and is pre-revenue. Its near-term revenue model is built on three non-equity streams: (1) licensing income and contingent milestones from the Boehringer Ingelheim partnership (up to US$181 million plus royalties), (2) non-dilutive government research grants from NIH/NIDA, NIAAA, and CUREator+, and (3) future product sales following regulatory approval. Capital formation to date totals approximately A$23.4 million across seed, Series A, and Series B rounds led by Uniseed, alongside a 1–10 person operating team. The company is privately held and operates across Australia and the United States.

Name

Kinoxis Therapeutics

Legal name

Kinoxis Therapeutics Pty Ltd

Website

https://kinoxistherapeutics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Kinoxis Therapeutics is a Melbourne-based, clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class ALOX15 inhibitors and oxytocin receptor modulators for CNS disorders, including dementia agitation, substance use disorders, and chronic pain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

CNS Therapeutics

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurology & CNS Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Neurology & Psychiatry (CNS) Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAF)

Keywords

• CNS therapeutics
• Small molecule drug discovery
• Clinical stage biotechnology
• Neuroinflammation treatments
• Substance use disorder therapeutics

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Licensing and Milestone Payments: Strategic partnership and licensing agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim for oxytocin-targeting precision psychiatry treatments. Kinoxis receives upfront payments, research support payments, and is eligible for research, preclinical, clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones of up to US$181 million (AU$266m), plus royalties on future product sales.
2. Government Research Grants: Non-dilutive funding from US NIH agencies (NIDA and NIAAA) to support clinical development. NIH HEAL Initiative grant up to US$4.6 million, UH3 grant of US$3.6 million, and CUREator+ grant of A$2.5 million for specific clinical programs.
3. Future Product Sales: Revenue from commercialization of drug candidates upon regulatory approval. Pipeline includes KNX100 for dementia agitation and substance use disorders, KNX101 for pain, and KNX200 series for neuropsychiatric disorders.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kinoxis Therapeutics develops first-in-class small-molecule drug candidates targeting ALOX15-mediated neuroinflammation and oxytocin receptor signaling for central nervous system disorders. Its pipeline includes KNX100 (Phase 2 for dementia-related agitation and substance use disorders), KNX101 (long-acting ALOX15 inhibitor for acute and chronic pain), and the KNX200 series (oxytocin receptor partial agonists for neuropsychiatric indications, licensed to Boehringer Ingelheim). The company monetizes through licensing milestones, royalties, and government grants while advancing candidates through clinical trials.

Product overview

Kinoxis Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class small molecule therapeutics targeting ALOX15 (a lipid-signaling enzyme regulating neuroinflammation) and oxytocin receptors for CNS disorders. The company's product portfolio centers on three key candidates: KNX100 (short-acting ALOX15 inhibitor for agitation and aggression in dementia, currently in Phase 2), KNX101 (long-acting ALOX15 inhibitor for acute and chronic pain, in IND-enabling studies), and the KNX200 Series (oxytocin receptor partial agonists for psychiatric disorders, developed with Boehringer Ingelheim). The ALOX15 inhibitor platform addresses neuroinflammatory pathways underlying agitation, aggression, and chronic pain. The company is also conducting the CARES-X Phase 2a clinical trial for KNX100 in dementia patients across Australian sites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KNX100 First-in-class, short-acting small-molecule inhibitor of ALOX15 being developed for the treatment of agitation and aggression associated with dementia. KNX100 targets neuroinflammatory pathways in the CNS to modulate neural circuits driving agitation and aggression without the sedation and safety limitations of atypical antipsychotic therapies. The candidate is also being evaluated for substance use disorders including opioid, alcohol, and methamphetamine use disorder. Currently in Phase 2 clinical trials (CARES-X) and being developed as a transdiagnostic CNS therapeutic.
• KNX101 Second-generation, long-acting small-molecule inhibitor of ALOX15 being developed for the treatment of acute and chronic pain. KNX101 is designed to interrupt both initiation and amplification of glia-driven pain signaling by preventing activation of lipid-ROS pathways that sensitize pain circuits. Currently advancing through IND-enabling studies as a non-opioid pain therapeutic.
• KNX200 Series (Oxytocin Receptor Partial Agonists) Novel small molecules engineered as partial agonists of the oxytocin receptor, designed to fine-tune oxytocin-mediated signaling within neural circuits involved in stress adaptation, emotional regulation, and nociception. Provides controlled receptor engagement to restore physiological signaling balance while minimizing overstimulation associated with full receptor agonists. Indication targets include negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia, social anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder. Licensed to Boehringer Ingelheim for development and commercialization.

Quantifiable outcome

• 76% of dementia patients experience agitation and aggression symptoms
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and supporting.

• US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2024Clinical Trial Agreement (CTA) with NIAAA to evaluate KNX100 in alcohol use disorder. Plans for Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interaction of KNX100 and alcohol.
• Boehringer IngelheimflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2023Strategic partnership and licensing agreement for development of first-in-class oxytocin targeting precision psychiatry treatments to improve quality of life for people with neuropsychiatric disorders. Kinoxis receives upfront payment, research support payments, and is eligible for milestones up to US$181 million (AU$266m) plus royalties on future product sales.
• Nucleus NetworksupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMelbourne-based clinical trial site where Phase 1 first-in-human clinical study for KNX100 was conducted under US IND.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Acadia Pharmaceuticals: Specialty CNS pharmaceutical company that developed NUPLAZID, the only FDA-approved treatment for psychosis associated with Parkinson's disease. Directly comparable to Kinoxis as a CNS-focused commercial/specialty pharma targeting behavioral symptoms in neurological disorders.
• Axsome Therapeutics: CNS-focused pharmaceutical company commercializing Auvelity for depression and developing treatments across pain and neurology. Comparable as a clinical-to-commercial CNS specialty pharma addressing underserved behavioral and pain indications.
• Sage Therapeutics: CNS-focused biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for depression, neurology, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Highly comparable as a clinical-stage CNS specialty pharma with multiple programs across mood, movement, and neuropsychiatric indications.
• BioXcel Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing BXCL501 (sublingual dexmedetomidine) for acute treatment of agitation associated with dementia and other CNS conditions. Direct competitor in the dementia agitation indication Kinoxis is targeting with KNX100.
• Karuna Therapeutics: CNS biotech developing xanomeline-trospium (Cobenfy) for schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric conditions. Comparable as a CNS specialty pharma with novel-mechanism agents targeting underserved neuropsychiatric indications, now part of BMS.

Broad incumbents

• Boehringer Ingelheim: Global pharmaceutical company and Kinoxis's strategic partner for KNX200 oxytocin-targeting programs. Comparable as a broad CNS incumbent with psychiatry and neurology franchises, providing validation and commercial pathway for Kinoxis's KNX200 series.

Emerging players

• Neumora Therapeutics: Clinical-stage CNS biopharmaceutical company developing precision medicines for brain diseases including schizophrenia and agitation. Comparable as an emerging CNS platform company targeting neuropsychiatric indications with novel mechanisms.
• Cortexyme: Clinical-stage biotech developing therapeutics targeting bacterial toxins and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease and other CNS conditions. Comparable as an emerging CNS player addressing neuroinflammatory mechanisms in dementia-related indications.
• MapLight Therapeutics: Clinical-stage neuroscience company developing therapies for schizophrenia, autism, and other CNS disorders. Comparable as an emerging CNS biotech with novel-mechanism candidates targeting underserved neuropsychiatric indications.
• Praxis Precision Medicines: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for CNS disorders including epilepsy and essential tremor. Comparable as an emerging CNS specialty player with multiple clinical programs addressing neuropsychiatric and neurological conditions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kinoxis_tx
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kinoxis-therapeutics-pty-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors9 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kinoxis Therapeutics