Phio Pharma Takes RXi’s Self-Delivering RNAi Technology, Refocuses On Immuno-Oncology

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corp.was humming along in early 2017, developing clinical candidates for dermatology and ophthalmology with its self-delivering RNA-interference (sd-rxRNA) technology, when Gerrit Dispersyn joined the firm as chief development officer with a background in cancer cell therapy. Fast-forward two years and Dispersyn is leading the renamed Phio Pharmaceuticals Corp. with a revised focus on immuno-oncology and a plan to partner out its mid-stage candidates for retinal scarring and cutaneous warts.

The Marlborough, MA-based firm changed its name to Phio last November and then promoted Dispersyn to CEO on Feb. 15,...