Company Overview
Palkion’s mission is to develop novel, effective and convenient oral treatment options for patients with anemia. The initial clinical indication will be anemia associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Other potential indications may include drug-induced anemia and anemia associated with inflammatory, immune-mediated, vascular, and metabolic diseases. In addition, the HIF pathway supports tissue repair and regeneration such as bone and cartilage formation and wound healing.
Palkion was founded in February 2008 by ProQuest Investments, a leading U.S.-based venture capital firm, with technology in-licensed from CrystalGenomics, Inc. of Seoul, South Korea. Palkion has rights to a portfolio of small molecule agents based on X-ray crystallographic medicinal chemistry using CrystalGenomics’ proprietary platform technology.
Palkion’s proprietary lead compound, PN-3602, is designed to offer the anemia patient a new effective, convenient and more comprehensive treatment option compared to current injectable EPO products. These agents not only provide natural EPO but also stimulate iron metabolism to support more effective red blood cell formation. In June 2009, Palkion announced that it had initiated preclinical development studies for its orally available anemia therapeutic candidate, which modulates the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Prolyl Hydroxylase (HIF-PH) enzyme system. Palkion and CrystalGenomics are currently working toward the initiation of clinical studies.