Destiny Pharma plc
Destiny Pharma is a clinical phase biotechnology company dedicated to the development of novel anti-infectives with a focus on infection prevention. We have two exciting late-stage clinical assets and a range of earlier research programmes. Our pipeline includes assets being developed from our own XF platform and two biotherapeutic products that harness specific components of the human microbiome. Our lead asset, NTCD-M3, targets CDI. The company owns global rights to the world’s most advanced single strain, live bio-therapeutic product which is the non-toxigenic Clostridioides difficile strain M3 – for the prevention of recurring C. difficile gut infections (CDI). NTCD-M3 has already delivered world leading clinical efficacy data in a successful Phase 2 trial where the infection recurrence rate in NTCD-M3 treated patients was just 5%, compared to those on placebo where the infection recurrence rate was 30%.
Company details
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- Business Type:
- Manufacturer
- Industry Type:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Market Focus:
- Globally (various continents)
- Year Founded:
- 1997
Welcome
This product is preparing for Phase 3 clinical trials and could deliver peak sales of $0.5 billion.
XF-73 nasal is the lead asset from the company’s XF platform. It is a novel compound being developed for the prevention of post-surgical Staphylococcal infections. XF-73 reported very positive clinical data in 2021. The Phase 2b trial achieved its primary endpoint with >99% nasal bacterial load reduction (p<0.0001 versus placebo) achieved by the XF-73 nasal gel, with an excellent safety profile and no treatment related adverse events reported. Further information on the results of the trial can be found here. This product is preparing for Phase 3 clinical evaluation and approval and has a $1 billion sales forecast potential.
XF-73 (and other XF drugs from the platform) act via a novel, ultra-rapid action that kills targeted bacteria (including antibiotic resistant strains) leaving the bacteria unable to mount a resistance.
The company is also developing a dermal formulation of XF-73 Dermal for the treatment of bacterial skin infections and has been supported by the US government’s National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, (part of the US National Institutes of Health). This product is in late-stage preclinical development.
Destiny Pharma is also collaborating with SporeGen on a novel SPOR-COV® innate immune system boosting treatment for the prevention of COVID-19 and similar respiratory viral infections using a Bacillus based approach. This project is at the preclinical development stage.
History
Destiny Pharma was founded by the Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Bill Love, in 1997 to identify and generate high value pharmaceutical intellectual property. It is headquartered at the Sussex Innovation Centre at The University of Sussex in Brighton, UK.
In its infancy, the company predominantly carried out contract research for large pharmaceutical companies, including Novartis. Between its incorporation and 2003, the company worked in three main areas of research:
- Novel surfaces to improve hip implantation;
- Surface bound photodynamic agents; and
- Antimicrobial photodynamic agents.
Destiny Pharma had a major breakthrough when its innovative research created a new anti-bacterial drug platform, the XF drugs. Unlike antibiotics, XF drugs have demonstrated the remarkable quality of not generating bacterial resistance.
In September 2017, Destiny Pharma was admitted to AIM raising over £15 million and also signed a collaboration with China Medical Systems who invested a further £3 million in December 2017. In February 2018, Destiny Pharma announced that it had successfully opened its first IND in the USA, has been awarded fast-track status and was commencing the planned clinical programme. XF-73 is currently in Phase 2b trials.
In September 2020, Destiny Pharma entered into a grant funded programme in collaboration with SporeGen Limited to develop their SPOR-COV™ asset for the prevention of COVID-19.
In November 2020, Destiny Pharma acquired the global rights to a Phase 3 ready Clostridioides difficile asset, NTCD-M3, for the prevention of C. difficile infection (CDI) recurrence. By acquiring the global rights for NTCD-M3, Destiny Pharma extends its biotherapeutics portfolio alongside the SPOR-COV COVID-19 preclinical asset.
Our Values
Patient-Focused
We put the patient first to maintain perspective and drive success.
Integrity
We strive for the highest standards in all we do and hold ourselves accountable for our actions.
Ambition
We are a forward-looking company that aims to deliver novel, 'best-in-class' medicines to change lives for the better.
Empowered Teamwork
We believe that empowered individuals create a strong team. We treat everyone with respect, encourage everyone to have a voice, and we work to create an open culture.