RxBio, Inc. is an early-stage pharmaceutical company. RxBio was formed around novel and proprietary, small-molecule technology developed at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Memphis and licensed from the University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF).

The company's primary focus is the discovery and development of novel and proprietary compounds for use in the mitigation of acute radiation syndrome (ARS) – including gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome (GI-ARS) as well as hematological radiation syndrome (HEM-ARS).

GI-ARS occurs as a result of unintended exposure to lethal doses of ionizing radiation (i.e. nuclear-weapon detonation, during manufacture and development of nuclear energy materials, following nuclear accidents, etc.). Government estimates are that many thousands would likely be at risk of developing ARS following detonation of an improvised nuclear device. Treating GI-ARS is the current limiting step in survival. There is no current therapy for this devastating and life-threatening condition. 

The company’s lead compound, Rx100, is being developed initially as a drug to prevent death and rescue life as a result of the unintended exposure to lethal ionizing radiation – including GI-ARS and HEM-ARS.

RxBio also has data showing efficacy of Rx100 in models of cholera- and toxin-induced secretory diarrhea and NSAID-induced stomach erosions (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.). In addition, the company has an impressive line-up of follow-on compounds (Rx200 and 300 series) suitable for indications in addition to ARS.

To date, the bulk of the company’s funding has derived from nondilutive, third-party sources – including funding from one or more agencies of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) – i.e. the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and the U.S. Army / Department of Defense.

RxBio has successfully completed commercial-scale production of Rx100 and is near completion of non-clinical toxicology studies in preparation of clinical studies. The company has been successful in developing ARS animal models, including GI-ARS animal models, predictive of humans and has successfully demonstrated a significant rescue and survival benefit when Rx100 is administered up to 24 hours after exposure to lethal ionizing radiation in that model.