Genflow Biosciences PLC on Monday saw shares climb after reporting ‘significant strides’ in its 2024 research programmes.

Shares in the London-based biotechnology firm, which has research facilities in Belgium, rose 13% to 1.98 pence each on Monday afternoon in London.

Genflow said it is advancing the pre-investigational new drug phase for GF-1002, a gene therapy for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, the most common form of liver disease.

Genflow said it is ‘positioned to fast-track’ GF-1002’s first proof-of-concept study, after partnering with Exothera SA, a Jumet, Belgium-based contract development and manufacturing organisation specialised in viral vectors, ribonucleic acid therapeutics and vaccines. Exothera is expected to produce the clinical lot of GF-1002.

Updating on its other programmes, Genflow was optimistic about a developing treatment for mitochondrial dysfunction in sarcopenia patients, which is progressing in collaboration with the Universite libre de Bruxelles.

Genflow also highlighted its lab-grown liver tissue models, developed from Werner syndrome patients, which the company said offer more research insight than animal-derived models.

Finally, the biotech firm said it will initiate a life extension clinical trial for aging dogs, alongside Bangalore, India-based research partner Syngene International Ltd. Genflow expects to complete analysis of the six-month trial by the end of 2025, with potential licensing deals subject to outcomes.

‘As we prepare for 2025, we are energized by the progress we’ve made and the opportunities ahead, commented Chief Executive Officer Eric Leire.

‘Our commitment to tackling aging as a fundamental risk factor for chronic diseases remains steadfast. With continued collaboration and innovation, we are confident we will achieve great things in the coming year.’

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