Ox-1 Addiction Programme Update
Summary by AI BETAClose X
26 January 2026
TheraCryf plc
("TheraCryf", the "Company" or the "Group")
Ox-1 Addiction Programme Update
Final major market patent granted in Canada
Progress on IND enabling preclinical safety studies
Best-in-class Ox-1 asset continues to be de-risked ahead of clinical readiness
TheraCryf plc (AIM: TCF), the biotech company developing new medicines for addiction and other disorders of the brain, is pleased to announce that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the Canadian Patent Office for its Orexin-1 (Ox-1) addiction programme, alongside a positive update on ongoing preclinical development.
The Canadian patent represents the final major market to grant for this intellectual property, completing broad protection across the US, Europe, Canada and key Asian territories. The patent provides Composition of Matter, the strongest form of patent cover available, conferring long-term exclusivity and significantly strengthening the commercial and partnering proposition for the programme.
The Group also reports continued progress on its Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) and Dose Range Finding (DRF) studies, which commenced earlier this month. The MTD have now been successfully completed, with two species dosed up to the regulatory maximum, 1g/kg of the orexin-1 blocker, with no adverse clinical observations reported. This favourable outcome further de-risks the programme and enables progression into repeat-dose DRF studies, the results of which will inform the dosing for the planned 28-day regulatory toxicity studies scheduled in Q1 and Q2 2026, depending on species. This is a near final step on the path to IND/CTA readiness targeted for 2026.
Ox-1, TheraCryf's lead programme, is a novel, best-in-class orexin-1 blocker, being developed as a potential treatment for addiction, including alcohol and other substance use disorders. The programme demonstrates class-leading selectivity and high receptor occupancy, characteristics which are expected to translate into improved tolerability and efficacy. Blocking the orexin-1 pathway has been shown to reduce aberrant substance-seeking behaviour in animal models, and the orexin pathway has attracted strong interest in the pharmaceutical sector.
Addiction represents a large and growing global market, with substantial unmet medical need and significant human, social and economic impact, making it an attractive indication for development and commercialisation.
Dr Helen Kuhlman, Chief Operating Officer of TheraCryf, commented:
"Securing the Canadian patent completes coverage across all major commercial markets for our Ox-1 programme and strengthens its long-term value. Completion of our maximum tolerated dose studies further de-risks our best-in-class lead asset as we progress towards clinical readiness.
We remain well positioned to generate key value inflection data and advance Ox-1 towards partnering opportunities."
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About TheraCryf
TheraCryf plc is a biotechnology company developing new medicines for addiction and other disorders of the brain, areas of significant unmet medical need within central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
The Group's lead programme is a novel, best-in-class orexin-1 receptor antagonist being developed as a potential treatment for addiction, including binge eating, alcohol and other substance use disorders. The programme is heavily de-risked, demonstrates superior selectivity and high receptor occupancy, and is fully funded through to clinical readiness, with regulatory submissions targeted for 2026.
TheraCryf also has a dopamine transporter (DAT) modulator programme addressing fatigue of brain origin, including fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy and narcolepsy. The Group also has a legacy, grant-funded, oncology programme in glioblastoma with SFX-01.
The Group operates a capital-light, virtual development model advancing programmes to early clinical or proof-of-concept stage before partnering with larger pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies.
TheraCryf's headquarters and registered office are at Alderley Park, Cheshire.
For further information, visit: https://theracryf.com
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