Navigating Innovation: Xentria’s Journey of Growth and Collaboration in Biotech
Xentria has always been a company comfortable navigating uncertainty. Founded in 2020, we began during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic—a time of unprecedented global challenges. This distinctive beginning fostered a culture where we embraced uncertainty and adapted to rapidly changing circumstances.
Like the rest of the world, we made a significant pivot from in-person to virtual operations. As time went on, we leaned into the hybrid model, but still wanted to establish ourselves with a local presence by obtaining our first headquarters in the burgeoning Chicago life sciences neighborhood. This model cultivated an organization focused on communication and building interpersonal relationships, which allows us to smoothly manage day-to-day operations and create a strong basis for future advancements.
As we continue to navigate the complexities of drug development, we reflect on the journey that brought us here and the principles that guide our work. Our approach is built on three pillars: in-house ventures, co-development partnerships, and research & development operations. These pillars form the foundation of our business model, driving us to tackle challenging drug development and enhance patient outcomes.
Pillar 1: In-House Venture
Xentria was founded around XTMAB-16, our lead asset developed as a tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitor, with the goal of improving the lives of people living with sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis is a complex disease that can affect almost any organ in the body, making diagnosis and treatment particularly elusive. Many patients living with the condition feel isolated and helpless, struggling with symptoms for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis. This reality fueled our dedication to engage in the challenging sarcoidosis landscape and pursue clinical drug development for the chance to impact a patient’s day to day life.
XTMAB-16 is an Investigational New Drug (IND) currently being studied to determine whether it disrupts an important inflammatory pathway and slow or stop granuloma formation, which could potentially improve daily activity. While some medications can alleviate certain sarcoidosis-related symptoms, there are currently no FDA-approved disease-modifying treatments for this rare disease. This product is currently under investigation and has not been approved by the FDA. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
From the beginning, our team invested time and resources into learning from key opinion leaders, patients, and healthcare providers. After receiving input from sarcoidosis experts, the development journey began. In November 2020, XTMAB-16 received FDA Orphan Drug Designation, marking a significant milestone. The clinical trial has since progressed, with patient enrollment currently underway in our Phase II trial.
Our culture of adaptability and strong communication has been a driving force behind our developmental strategy. We emerged as a company at a time when public awareness of clinical trials was on the rise, largely driven by the urgent need for vaccines during the COVID19 pandemic. Leveraging that momentum, we focused on incorporating clinical trial education and awareness for the XTMAB-16 program. Our goal was to bridge the knowledge gap amongst patients and foster greater understanding of clinical trials overall.
Pillar 2: Co-development Partnerships
At Xentria, we prioritize building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with our drug development partners. Our co-development partnerships are built on a shared commitment to advancing challenging drug development and addressing unmet needs with increased collaboration, tenacity, and partnership. Over time, we have expanded our capabilities to offer both capital and expertise, recognizing that innovation thrives when resourced.
Our holistic support is tailored to the unique needs of early-stage development, supporting our partners to reach their next inflection point by providing the necessary resources. Recognizing that researchers are inventors and subject matter experts, we make sure their insights shape the co-development process at every stage. This collaborative approach promotes growth, helps navigate challenges, and increases the likelihood of success. We aim to de-risk the development of promising therapies and propel them toward clinical trials more efficiently, while amplifying the invaluable contributions of them as partners.
Pillar 3: Research and Development
Over the past year, Xentria has significantly expanded its research and development (R&D) capabilities with a clinical operations team that oversees a robust portfolio of biosimilar projects. This growth reflects our dedication to identifying and addressing unmet medical needs, as well as our dedication to supporting these projects with the necessary expertise and resources. We prioritize not only the innovation of new therapies, but also the access to existing ones, with a focus on ensuring their efficacy and safety.
A key aspect of our R&D strategy is our work on biosimilars —biologic medical products that are highly similar to already approved reference products. Through our biosimilar efforts, in partnership with Meitheal Pharmaceuticals, our goal is to provide accessible treatment options for patients while upholding the highest standards of quality throughout clinical development.
Our operations team plays a crucial role in translating clinical research into clinical practice. They manage all aspects of our clinical trials, from protocol development and patient recruitment to data analysis and regulatory compliance. Their expertise ensures that our trials are conducted efficiently and ethically, generating reliable data that can support regulatory approvals and help inform clinical decision-making.
Looking Ahead
Despite being a young company, we have continually adapted and been fortunate in an ever-changing biotech landscape. Our growth in the past few years underscores our ability to scale quickly and effectively. We have broadened our portfolio, strengthened collaborations, and advanced our expertise—all while maintaining a committed focus on delivering transformative solutions.
As a privately held organization, we have the flexibility to be discerning in the projects we pursue, ensuring that each initiative aligns with our mission. This strategic selectivity enables us to concentrate our efforts where they can deliver the most value.
Throughout our time as a company, a constant has been the team’s unwavering curiosity and passion for making a difference. Driven by the same urgency and determination as patients and researchers, we remain committed to listening and learning from them. As we continue to grow, Xentria is well-positioned to build on the success of our shared experiences and continue the fight to address urgent patient needs.
We are in an exciting time in our company’s journey, with new opportunities emerging each day. Our strong foundation and clear vision continue to give us confidence in our path forward. We eagerly anticipate our evolution as an organization and hope to establish ourselves as a stable presence in Chicago and across the Midwest. We invite you to be part of our journey and grow alongside us as we evolve and make strides in the biotech community.
This blog may contain forward-looking statements regarding our development pipeline and strategic goals. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.