Genflow Biosciences Ltd (LSE:GENF, OTCQB:GENFF, FRA:WQ5) shares opened 19.5% higher at 2.27p after the company reported positive preliminary interim results from its SLAB clinical trial in aged dogs.
The London-listed biotechnology group, which develops gene therapies for age-related diseases, said treated animals showed improved survival and functional outcomes during the dosing period.
The randomised, blinded study enrolled 24 beagle dogs aged over 10 years and was conducted by an independent contract research organisation.
Dogs were allocated to four groups comprising two naked DNA treatment cohorts at different dose levels, a single-dose AAV8 cohort and a control group.
All treatment groups demonstrated superior survival compared with the control group during the dosing period and no adverse events were observed, the company said.
Genflow added that all treatments exhibited a favourable safety and tolerability profile suitable for use in aged companion animals.
Researchers also observed improvements across several functional and observable endpoints, including quality of life, muscle mass preservation, frailty index reduction and coat quality, relative to control animals, which showed expected age-related decline.
Several endpoints remain under evaluation, including biological age determination using methylation clock analysis and comprehensive muscle biopsy histology, which the company said were intended to provide further mechanistic and quantitative validation of the therapy’s effects.
Genflow said it expected to provide a comprehensive update on all remaining endpoints within approximately two months.
Executives said the preliminary findings supported the potential of the SIRT6 gene therapy as a first-in-class approach to addressing age-related decline in companion animals and reinforced its relevance to prospective animal health partners.
The company said it was engaging with animal health groups regarding potential licensing, co-development and commercialisation opportunities.
Dr Eric Leire, chief executive, said: “These preliminary interim results represent a significant milestone for Genflow and significantly strengthen our position for animal health partnerships.
“The consistency of positive signals across multiple independent endpoints from survival and quality of life to measures of muscle preservation and frailty reduction, combined with an excellent safety profile, supports our SIRT6 platform as a credible, differentiated asset for the companion animal market.”
He added that, based on the encouraging preliminary findings, the company was proceeding with a follow-up phase to assess durability of effects and to monitor differences in age-related disease emergence, data that would inform future commercial discussions.