Protokinetix
ProtoKinetix is a pre-revenue, clinical-stage biotech that develops AAGP®, a proprietary synthetic glycopeptide used to protect living cells in ophthalmology, dermatology, transplant, and biomanufacturing applications, targeting pharmaceutical licensees and research partners.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersMarietta, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Protokinetix does
ProtoKinetix is a clinical-stage biomedical company founded in 2002 and publicly traded on OTC Markets under the ticker PKTX, headquartered in Dalton and Marietta, Ohio. The company develops a single proprietary platform technology, AAGP® (Anti-Aging Glycopeptide, molecule PKX-001), a synthetic 580.96-Dalton analog of naturally occurring antifreeze glycoproteins that protects living cells from inflammation, oxidative stress, UV and temperature extremes, and protease degradation. The molecule's compact size, relative to natural AFGPs in the 2,600-24,000 Dalton range, enables passage through cell junctions and capillaries, which is the core technical differentiator.
The company has organized its pipeline around four therapeutic and industrial application areas — ophthalmology, dermatology, transplant support, and biomanufacturing — with the lead program, islet cell transplantation for Type 1 diabetes, currently in Phase 2 at the University of Alberta under principal investigator Dr. James Shapiro. Preclinical and research collaborations are conducted with the University of British Columbia (macular degeneration and hematopoietic stem cell recovery) and Dalhousie University (cardiovascular), with GMP manufacturing handled by AmbioPharm in South Carolina and commercialization support for the dry eye disease program provided by IQVIA.
ProtoKinetix has no commercial products on the market and is pre-revenue; the stated business model combines patent licensing to pharmaceutical companies in each therapeutic vertical with potential future OTC/prescription consumer eye drops and skin creams. Capital has been raised through a long series of small SEC exempt offerings, and the company states it is debt-free. The company is in a leadership transition: long-tenured CEO Clarence E. Smith passed away in November 2025 and was succeeded by Michael Guzzetta as Chairman, President, CEO and CFO.
Protokinetix firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Protokinetix
- Legal name
- ProtoKinetix, Incorporated
- Website
- https://protokinetix.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ProtoKinetix is a pre-revenue, clinical-stage biotech that develops AAGP®, a proprietary synthetic glycopeptide used to protect living cells in ophthalmology, dermatology, transplant, and biomanufacturing applications, targeting pharmaceutical licensees and research partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Protokinetix industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biopharmaceuticals
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Stem Cell–Based Regenerative Therapies (HLAAAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Therapeutic Peptides & Protein/Peptide Biologics (HLAAAAAH), Stem Cell Therapies (MSC/iPSC/HSC-derived) (HLAAABAE), Endocrinology & Reproductive Health Pharmaceuticals (incl. Women’s Health) (HLAIAAAJ)
Keywords
Where Protokinetix is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Marietta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Protokinetix business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Licensing Royalties: Licensing the patent to pharmaceutical companies in each market segment (ophthalmology, dermatology, transplants, biomanufacturing). The company has stated willingness to license to multiple companies so all patients can experience the benefits of AAGP®.
- Product Sales: Direct sales of prescription and over-the-counter eye drops and skin creams containing AAGP®.
- Securities Offering: Exempt offering of securities to raise capital for ongoing research and development activities.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels9 records
Protokinetix product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ProtoKinetix develops and commercializes AAGP® (Anti-Aging Glycopeptide), a proprietary synthetic glycopeptide molecule engineered to protect human cells from stress, inflammation, temperature extremes, and cell death factors. The molecule is being developed for therapeutic applications in ophthalmology (retinal cell transplants, dry eye disease, macular degeneration), dermatology (anti-inflammation, UV/burn recovery), transplant support (islet cell transplants for Type 1 diabetes, whole organ viability), and biomanufacturing (cell preservation during biologics production).
Product overview
ProtoKinetix is a clinical-stage biomedical company developing AAGP®, a proprietary synthetic anti-aging glycopeptide molecule (580.96 Daltons). The company's product portfolio centers on this core molecule with multiple therapeutic applications spanning four areas: ophthalmology (retinal cell transplantation, dry eye disease), dermatology (inflammation protection, UV/burn recovery), transplant support (islet cells for Type 1 diabetes, whole organ viability), and biomanufacturing (biologics production, cell preservation). The lead drug product, PKX-001, is currently in Phase 1/2 clinical trials for Type 1 diabetes islet cell transplantation at the University of Alberta. All products are investigational and not approved for commercial distribution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AAGP® (Anti-Aging Glycopeptide)
Quantifiable outcome
- 55% average increase in cell survival across various stress conditions
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Protokinetix
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Protokinetix technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Protokinetix partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.
- EyeCrominorContract research organization that conducted preclinical ocular safety studies in small and large animals, and preclinical ocular efficacy studies for ophthalmology applications.
- Charles RiverminorContract research organization that conducted preclinical ocular safety study in large animals for ophthalmology applications.
- IQVIAmajorStrategic partnership with IQVIA to execute go-forward strategy for dry eye disease clinical trial and commercialization program. IQVIA provides clinical trial execution and commercialization expertise.
- Dalhousie University (Dr. Thomas Pulinilkunnil)coreCardiovascular research program partnership studying the effects of AAGP® on heart tissue and cardiovascular health. Dr. Pulinilkunnil serves as principal investigator.
- University of British Columbia (Dr. Kelly McNagny)coreEnhanced biological production and hematopoietic stem cell recovery research partnership focused on cellular immunology and stem cell preservation.
- University of Alberta (Dr. James Shapiro)coreClinical research partnership for Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials of AAGP® (PKX-001) in islet cell transplants for Type 1 diabetes treatment. Dr. James Shapiro serves as principal investigator and leads the Edmonton Protocol research.
- University of British Columbia (Dr. Kevin Gregory-Evans)coreMacular degeneration cell therapy program partnership focused on retinal cell replacement therapy. Dr. Gregory-Evans serves as lead macular researcher and is testing AAGP®-treated cells for continued development into retinal cells.
- AmbioPharmcoreManufacturing partner for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) processing of AAGP® and preliminary toxicology assessment. Located in Beech Island, SC with capability for large-scale bioproduct validation.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Protokinetix competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Cryoport: Cryoport provides integrated temperature-controlled logistics and cryopreservation services for the cell-therapy industry, competing in the same cell-survival/cell-preservation value chain as ProtoKinetix's biomanufacturing and transplant applications.
- Lonza Group: Lonza is a global contract development and manufacturing organization with a major cell-and-gene-therapy services business, relevant as both a potential biomanufacturing partner and competitor in ProtoKinetix's biomanufacturing vertical.
- Sartorius AG: Sartorius supplies bioprocessing equipment and consumables used in cell therapy and biologics production, overlapping with the manufacturing infrastructure supporting ProtoKinetix's biomanufacturing application area.
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Vertex has advanced its VX-880 stem cell-derived therapy into clinical trials for Type 1 diabetes, positioning it as the dominant large-cap player in ProtoKinetix's lead T1D islet-cell indication.
Emerging players
- CRISPR Therapeutics: CRISPR Therapeutics is a clinical-stage gene-editing company developing ex vivo and in vivo cell therapies, broadly comparable to ProtoKinetix as a next-generation cell-therapy platform developer.
- Sigilon Therapeutics: Sigilon develops encapsulated cell therapies for chronic diseases, a therapeutic approach that intersects with ProtoKinetix's islet-cell encapsulation and Type 1 diabetes strategy.
- Sana Biotechnology: Sana Biotechnology is a clinical-stage cell engineering company focused on regenerative medicine and cell therapy, sharing ProtoKinetix's regenerative-cell platform ambition across multiple disease areas.
Direct peers
- BioLife Solutions: BioLife Solutions develops cryopreservation and cell-storage media used by cell-therapy developers, directly comparable to ProtoKinetix's cell-survival technology for transplant and biomanufacturing applications.
- BlueRock Therapeutics: BlueRock Therapeutics is a leading iPSC-derived cell therapy developer (acquired by Bayer), pursuing regenerative medicine applications overlapping directly with ProtoKinetix's pluripotent-stem-cell transplantation platform.
- ViaCyte: ViaCyte is a clinical-stage cell-therapy developer focused on stem cell-derived islet cell replacement for Type 1 diabetes, the same lead indication targeted by ProtoKinetix's PKX-001 program with Dr. James Shapiro.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Protokinetix social profiles
Digital presenceProtokinetix financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Protokinetix leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Protokinetix funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds19 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Protokinetix M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Protokinetix
What does Protokinetix do?
ProtoKinetix develops and commercializes AAGP® (Anti-Aging Glycopeptide), a proprietary synthetic glycopeptide molecule engineered to protect human cells from stress, inflammation, temperature extremes, and cell death factors. The molecule is being developed for therapeutic applications in ophthalmology (retinal cell transplants, dry eye disease, macular degeneration), dermatology (anti-inflammation, UV/burn recovery), transplant support (islet cell transplants for Type 1 diabetes, whole organ viability), and biomanufacturing (cell preservation during biologics production).
Is Protokinetix a public or private company?
Protokinetix is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Protokinetix founded?
Protokinetix was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Protokinetix based?
Protokinetix is headquartered in Marietta, United States, in the North America region.
How does Protokinetix make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Licensing Royalties are the primary driver. The others are product Sales and securities Offering.
Who are Protokinetix's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Cryoport, Lonza Group, Sartorius AG and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Emerging players are CRISPR Therapeutics, Sigilon Therapeutics and Sana Biotechnology. Direct peers are BioLife Solutions, BlueRock Therapeutics and ViaCyte.
Does Protokinetix have an API?
No public API is recorded for Protokinetix.
What industry is Protokinetix in?
Protokinetix's product category is Biopharmaceuticals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAGAA, Stem Cell–Based Regenerative Therapies, with a secondary code of HLAAAAAH, Therapeutic Peptides & Protein/Peptide Biologics. Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.