Core Viewpoint - Decoy Therapeutics Inc. is advancing its IMP3ACT™ platform to develop antiviral drug candidates effective against paramyxoviridae family viruses, including measles and Nipah viruses, and is merging with Salarius Pharmaceuticals to enhance its capabilities in infectious disease and oncology drug development [1][2][4]. Company Overview - Decoy Therapeutics is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company focused on designing peptide-conjugate drug candidates using machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) [9]. - The company aims to address serious unmet medical needs, particularly in respiratory viruses and gastrointestinal cancers, and has received funding from various institutional investors and programs [9]. Technology and Platform - The IMP3ACT platform utilizes AI and ML to create peptide-conjugate therapeutics that directly target viral machinery, potentially changing the economics of antiviral drug development [2][4]. - Decoy's technology allows for rapid design and synthesis of antiviral candidates, optimizing them for various properties such as binding specificity and manufacturability [4][8]. Merger Details - Decoy and Salarius Pharmaceuticals have signed a definitive merger agreement, with Decoy investors expected to own approximately 86% of the combined company post-merger [11][12]. - The merger aims to integrate Decoy's expertise with Salarius' resources to advance a diversified pipeline of antiviral and cancer drugs [4][11]. Current Health Context - There is a rising need for new antiviral drugs due to vaccine skepticism and ongoing measles outbreaks, with over 320 cases reported in Texas and additional cases in at least 12 other states [6]. - Measles is highly contagious and can lead to severe health complications, highlighting the urgency for effective treatments [5][6].
Salarius Pharmaceuticals Merger Partner, Decoy Therapeutics, Announces its Novel Inhibitors Show Promising In Silico Activity Against Measles and Related Viruses