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

 
• By Joseph Haas

RXi thought it had solved the RNAi delivery issue but was focused on dermatology and ophthalmology. New CEO Dispersyn thought the platform offered more lucrative promise as a way of optimizing IO therapy.

railroad-tracks
Phio's name change reflects its new therapeutic focus on IO

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,...

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