Functional Genetics, Inc., (FGI), is a privately-held biotechnology company. FGI is leading the development of an innovative approach to deploy broad-spectrum antivirals via the utilization of cellular targets, and its first product, FGI-101-1A6, is currently undergoing Phase I clinical trial. FGI has successfully demonstrated it can suppress viral infections by targeting the host and thereby denying the pathogen the ability to cause disease. Our host-oriented therapeutics provide many advantages compared to conventional antivirals, including broad spectrum application of a single therapeutic to multiple virus types and preventing the rapid emergence of drug-resistant strains of viruses.
This novel approach has been made possible through the use of its core RHGP discovery engine, which identifies host (cellular) targets that are “hijacked,” and functionally altered, in virus-infected cells. FGI has demonstrated that these changes in host target function (TSG101, Nedd4, Robo1 and Casp2) provide opportunities to selectively target unrelated virus types by a single therapeutic, without harming normal cells and minimizing the likelihood that drug-resistant variants will arise.
FGI's lead biologic, FGI-101-1A6, is currently undergoing human safety studies for an influenza indication and two additional biologics, FGI-110 and FGI-111 are in pre-clinical development.
