PhytanixBIO

Preclinical-stage pharmaceutical company

New molecules from the team that brought cannabinoid medicine to approval.

Phytanix Bio designs new chemical entities around cannabinoid, cannabinoid-like and Kv7 potassium-channel targets in epilepsy, depression, obesity and liver disease. Every program is a new molecule with its own composition-of-matter patents. None is a botanical extract or a reformulation.

4 programsCNS · metabolic · liver
Granted patentson 3 of 4 programs
Phase 1 targetH2 2027
Skeletal structure of cannabidiol (CBD): an aromatic resorcinol ring with two hydroxyl groups and a pentyl side chain, joined to a cyclohexene ring that carries a methyl and an isopropenyl group OH HO pentyl side chain CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD), the starting point for several of our programs. Each program is a new small molecule with its own composition-of-matter patents.

Science

Drug-like molecules aimed at validated targets

We aim to build a pipeline of de-risked drug candidates. Our de-risking approach is that we start with chemical structures and mechanisms of action that preclinical data have already validated. Then we use medicinal chemistry to fix what held earlier molecules back: dose, oral form, tissue exposure or side-effect profile.

New chemical entities

Each candidate is a new molecule protected by its own composition-of-matter patents. That gives a full patent life and a clear regulatory identity, which botanical cannabinoids do not have.

Validated biology

Kv7.2/7.3 activation, CB1 modulation and CBD-like anticonvulsant activity have all been tested in humans, which reduces mechanism risk.

Development know-how

Our team was closely involved in taking Sativex® and Epidiolex® through development, IP strategy and global approval. We apply that experience in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), regulation and patents from the first experiment.

How we work

A lean team, with AI in the workflow

We are building AI tools into how a small, experienced team works. We use them to move faster and spend less. Experimental data still decides what advances.

  • Now: reviewing the scientific, patent and competitive literature, and preparing development and regulatory documents.
  • Next: using these tools to support the design, synthesis and testing of appropriate analogues.

Pipeline

Four programs across CNS, metabolic and liver disease

All four programs are preclinical. We plan to complete IND-enabling studies and begin Phase 1 in the second half of 2027.

Program Mechanism Lead indications
DiscoveryPreclinicalIND-enablingPhase 1
PHYX001 Kv7.2/7.3 activator Focal seizures, depression, KCNQ2-DEE
PHYX002 CBD analogue CNS disorders
PHYX003 Multi-modal CB1 modulator Metabolic disorders, including obesity
PHYX004 Cannabinoid–stilbenoid hybrid Metabolic disorders, including MASLD

No Phytanix program has been tested in humans. Preclinical results are preliminary and do not predict clinical outcomes.

PHYX001

Next-generation Kv7.2/7.3 activator

CNS · epilepsy · mood
Potential indications
Focal seizures, major depressive disorder, bipolar depression, KCNQ2 developmental epileptic encephalopathy, tinnitus.
Preclinical data

Our preclinical data package includes:

  • In vitro binding data, with EC50 values similar to azetukalner
  • In vivo focal seizure data, effective at a similar oral dose to azetukalner in this model
Development rationale

Azetukalner has validated the Kv7.2/7.3 target in clinical trials, and its NDA was submitted in 2026. PHYX001 is an analogue of azetukalner with granted IP.

PHYX002

CBD analogue for a solid oral dosage form

CNS
Potential indications

Lead indications: CNS disorders.

Other indications are possible, given the known rich pharmacology of CBD.

Preclinical data

Our preclinical data package includes:

  • In vitro binding data
  • Multiple in vivo studies, effective at lower doses than CBD
Development rationale

Cannabidiol is an approved anticonvulsant, but it is dosed at 10–25 mg/kg/day as an oil-based oral solution and has no composition-of-matter protection. PHYX002 is a proprietary analogue designed to keep CBD's pharmacology at a much lower dose, in a tablet or capsule.

A lower dose and a solid oral dosage form could make treatment easier for patients and carers. A new molecule also brings a full 20-year patent term.

PHYX003

Multi-modal cannabinoid for metabolic disease

Metabolic · obesity
Potential indications
Lead indication: metabolic disorders, including obesity.
Preclinical data

Our preclinical data package includes:

  • In vitro binding data
  • An in vivo diet-induced obese mouse pilot study
~7.5%weight loss, monotherapy
22.5%with low-dose tirzepatide
Development rationale

CB1 modulation has clinically validated weight loss and metabolic benefits. Our approach differs from the competition: we do not believe we need peripheral restriction, based on our mechanism of action, because PHYX003 is not an orthosteric CB1 receptor inverse agonist.

PHYX003 has the potential to be developed as a monotherapy and as an add-on to existing therapies.

PHYX004

Cannabinoid–stilbenoid hybrids

Metabolic · liver
Potential indications
Lead indication: metabolic disorders, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
Preclinical data

Our preclinical data package includes:

  • Two in vivo seizure models, in which the compounds were well tolerated in rodents with good systemic bioavailability

Data in metabolic disease models will be generated in due course.

Development rationale

CB1 modulation has clinically validated weight loss and metabolic benefits, including in obesity. Stilbenoids have also shown therapeutic potential in metabolic disorders in preclinical models. Our hybrid platform therefore has potential across a range of therapeutic areas, including metabolic disorders.

It has the potential to be developed as a monotherapy and as an add-on to existing therapies.

Partnering

Open to licensing and co-development

We are open to licensing, co-development and partnering on all four programs, including for other formulations. Preclinical data and IP details are available under a mutual non-disclosure agreement.

Intellectual property

Patent protection across our platforms

Each of our platforms is protected by its own composition-of-matter patents and applications. Patents have been granted on three of our four programs, with further applications pending in key markets.

Heritage

We have done this before

The core team helped build GW Pharmaceuticals. GW took the first regulatory-approved cannabis-based medicine to market and was acquired by Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

2010

Sativex®

Approved in the UK and Spain in 2010 for MS spasticity, the first regulatory-approved cannabis-based medicine.

2018

Epidiolex®

FDA approval in Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. Net sales passed $1 billion in 2025.

2021

Jazz acquires GW

A $7.2 billion acquisition that set the value benchmark for cannabinoid therapeutics.

Today

Phytanix Bio

The same development, patent and DMPK experience, now applied to new chemical entities.

Leadership

A small team with deep cannabinoid development experience

We expect to add scientific advisors after the current financing round.

BE

Barrett Evans

CEO & Co-Founder

Leads corporate strategy, financing and the listing process. Managing Director of EMC2 Capital.

CS

Colin Stott

COO & Co-Founder

Former R&D Operations and Scientific Affairs Director (International) at GW Pharmaceuticals. Over 25 years in cannabinoid development, including Sativex® and Epidiolex®.

DS

Dominic Schiller

Chief IP Officer & Co-Founder

The patent attorney behind GW Pharmaceuticals' cannabinoid IP portfolio and patent strategy.

GW

Guy Webber

Pre-Clinical Development Director

Former ADME/DMPK specialist at GW Pharmaceuticals, with experience taking cannabinoid DMPK through IND-enabling studies.

Investors

Private, and preparing for public markets

Phytanix Bio is a privately held Nevada corporation with operating subsidiaries in the United Kingdom. We are evaluating a public listing, including through a strategic combination with a listed company, to fund the pipeline through Phase 1.

H2 2026

Listing and financing

Complete a listing transaction and close a financing round.

H2 2027

Into the clinic

Complete IND-enabling studies and begin Phase 1.

2028+

Clinical data

Phase 1 readouts and partnering, starting with the Kv7 program.

This website does not offer to sell, or solicit an offer to buy, any security. Detailed preclinical data are available to qualified parties under a mutual non-disclosure agreement.

Contact

Talk to us

Contact us about investment, licensing or scientific collaboration. We can share our full presentation and data on file under NDA.

Barrett EvansChief Executive Officer · investors, corporate development and licensing
bevans@phytanix.com
Colin StottChief Operating Officer · R&D and scientific partnerships
cs@phytanix.com