THE FUTURE OF TENDON AND LIGAMENT INJURY REPAIR IS HERE
PAX Therapeutics is relentlessly focused on optimizing healing of tendon and ligament injuries by bringing gene delivery out of the lab and into the clinical settings for patients to enable them use their joints more quickly and with better outcomes.
Our initial product candidate, PAX-001, is our proprietary gene delivery currently in development for the treatment of flexor tendon injuries of the hand. We have completed pre-clinical testing and are preparing to enter a human clinical trial of PAX-001.
A BETTER THERAPY: PAX-001
PAX-001 is our proprietary vector- a cutting edge, using a proven gene delivery technology for hyper-localized production of VEGF, a growth factor that stimulates the production of the desired Type 1 collagen from the beginning of healing (rather than Type 3 scar collagen that needs to then be replaced by Type 1 collagen). The vector is AAV-2 which has been approved for use in even infants for another disease, and is in widespread clinical trials for other diseases.
HUMANS: This anticipated results based on the best pre-clinical animal model are faster stronger healing of the tendon following repair surgery for humans resulting in: 1) a more rapid ability to start using the joint, 2) resulting in less muscle wasting, 3) fewer re-ruptures, 4) fewer adhesions/scarring, 5) yielding better joint mobility and decreased pain.
VETERINARY applications: This technology should work for horses and dogs as well, although PAX is currently focused on human products in order to more rapidly develop a First-in-Human product.
FACILE DELIVERY: LOCAL INJECTION
PAX-001 is easily delivered by injection during repair surgery in humans and by Ultrasound-guided injection through the skin in horses. While our first application will be for repair of ruptured hand tendons since this is fastest to Proof-of-Concept, we anticipate expanding to non-surgical injection for human partial tendon tears and ligament injuries.
PROGRESSION TO THE CLINIC
PAX-001 has completed IND-enabling GLP studies along with Dose-Range Finding studies. We are raising funds and completing documentation to file an IND for initiating clinical trials in 2027. A planned Phase 1/1B study in hand flexor tendon ruptures will be performed as the fastest study to show Proof of Concept. Even with a relatively small study, Phase 1 will be able to demonstrate both safety and indicate benefit.
PAX IN THE NEWS
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The Boston Globe featured PAX Therapeutics in its Innovator Q&A section with an interview with Paul Liu, MD, FACS, our Founder.
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PAX was featured on the front page of the Providence Journal, Sept. 25, 2025 about the soft opening of the Ocean State Labs, as one of the five inaugural tenants. The state of Rhode Island has committed $45 Million over 3 years for this incubator space, slated to open 1Q2026. https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2025/09/24/5-new-biotech-startups-are-coming-to-ris-ocean-state-labs-next-year/86315675007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z116308p117350c117350e001600v116308b0049xxd004965&gca-ft=164&gca-ds=sophi
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PAX was also listed as one of the headlined "Fab Five" in Ocean State Stories and Rhode Island Current. https://www.oceanstatestories.org/fab-five-first-ocean-state-labs-life-sciences-tenants-announced/
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PAX received a LIFT grant from Rhode Island Life Sciences June 2025 to fund preparing the documentation of the GLP studies for the IND (Investigational New Drug) application to the US FDA needed to begin the Phase I clinical trials of PAX-001. Read the announcement:
https://www.rilifescience.com/news
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PAX was featured in the June 2024 Rhode Island Bio Profiles in Innovation. Read the article here: https://ri-bio.org/profiles-in-innovation/
PAX SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATIONS
PAX results were presented in an invited lecture at a Gordon Research Conference, March 8, 2026, Ventura, California. A presentation was given at the Swedish Virology Society meeting in Smögen, Sweden on August 22, 2025. Scientific updates were presented in invited lectures at the Karolinska Institutet on March 22, 2024 and at the Staten Serum Institute in Copenhagen on March 21, 2024.