Coverage Initiated: June 2009

ARYx Therapeutics, Inc. (ARYX) is a Fremont, CA biopharmaceutical redesigning proven drugs so they are no longer broken down by the cytochrome 450 (P450) enzymes. The P450 system resides inside our cells within the mitochondria or endoplasmic reticulum. Most drugs are metabolized by this system, but there can be a stiff price. Some nasty drug side effects can be the result.

There are many common factors greatly influencing the rate of metabolism in the P450 system -- food, individual variability, and other drugs. In contrast, drugs metabolized through the esterase system should enjoy drug levels much more stable and predictable. This sometimes also translates into superior efficacy.

In short, the business model is simple: ARYx looks for marketed drugs with strong revenues. These “reference” drugs should also have P450 side effects. The redesigned drug is aimed at grabbing market share directly from the “reference drug” by claiming superior safety and similarity.

A complete listing of our research on ARyX Therapeutics is available by clicking here.