Salarius Pharmaceuticals Announces Planned Corporate Name and Ticker Symbol Change to Decoy Therapeutics, Reflecting Strategic Pivot to Next-Generation Antiviral and Peptide-Conjugate Platform

Core Viewpoint - The merger between Salarius Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Decoy Therapeutics Inc. will result in a new entity named Decoy Therapeutics, Inc., which will focus on advancing antiviral programs and expanding its therapeutic platform, with a strategic roadmap aimed at long-term shareholder value [1][2][4]. Company Transformation - The name and ticker change to Decoy Therapeutics, Inc. and "DCOY" respectively, signifies a transformation into a platform-driven biotechnology company targeting novel peptide-conjugate therapeutics for viral diseases and oncology [2][3]. Operational Continuity - The corporate name and ticker symbol change will take effect in early January 2026, with no impact on the company's operations, and the existing symbol "SLRX" will be used until then [3]. Strategic Focus - The CEO emphasized that the rebranding reflects a strategic foundation for the combined companies, focusing on integrating Decoy's therapeutic platforms and advancing their pipeline [4]. Platform Development - Decoy Therapeutics is advancing a proprietary peptide-conjugate platform aimed at neutralizing high-value biological targets, with early programs addressing pan-coronavirus activity and other viral threats [5]. Future Initiatives - The company plans to prioritize advancing lead antiviral programs, expanding discovery and preclinical validation, leveraging AI for candidate selection, and pursuing strategic collaborations [7][9]. Funding and Partnerships - Decoy has attracted interest from BARDA and global health organizations, positioning itself for additional non-dilutive funding and collaborations as data emerges [5][10].