Kinoxis Therapeutics closes $6.75 million financing round

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 21 August 2026 – Kinoxis Therapeutics Pty Ltd, an Australian clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class therapeutics targeting ALOX15 for high-need central nervous system indications, today announced the successful completion of a $6.75 million financing round and the award of a $2.5 million CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline grant.

The financing includes a $5 million investment from MainSequence, which joins Kinoxis as a new investor alongside continued support from existing shareholders. The investment provides additional capital to advance the company’s ALOX15 inhibitor programs and brings to Kinoxis a new partner with deep experience supporting Australian companies built around differentiated science and transformative technologies.

The $2.5 million CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline grant will support the development of Kinoxis’ next-generation, long-acting ALOX15 inhibitor KNX101 as a potential new treatment for chronic agitation and aggression associated with dementia.  The competitive grant funding was awarded through Round 2 of the CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline program, funded by the Australian Government through the Medical Research Future Fund. The national program is delivered by Brandon BioCatalyst in partnership with AND Health and Dementia Australia and supports the translation and commercialisation of Australian medical research and innovation addressing dementia and cognitive decline.

Together, the financing and grant provide Kinoxis with $9.25 million in new funding to advance its ALOX15 development programs.  Kinoxis is developing brain-penetrant small-molecule inhibitors of ALOX15, an intracellular enzyme that drives circuit dysregulation, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The company’s primary areas of development are agitation associated with dementia and pain.

Kinoxis’ lead program, KNX100, is a rapid, short-acting small-molecule inhibitor of ALOX15 currently being evaluated in the CARES-XPhase 2 clinical trial for both targeted management of persistent agitation andrapid treatment of acute agitation episodes associated with dementia.  CARES-X has now passed 50% of its recruitment target, with top line data expected mid-2027.

The study has also recently expanded recruitment into hospital-based dementia wards and residential aged care facilities, broadening access to people living with more advanced dementia and more frequent or severe agitation, complementing the study’s existing community-based recruitment pathway.

Building on the KNX100 program, Kinoxis is developing a suite of next-generation, long-acting ALOX15 inhibitors designed for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, as well as chronic agitation associated with dementia. Lead optimisation is nearing completion, with IND-enabling toxicology studies planned to commence on the lead candidate KNX101 by the end of 2026.  The CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline grant will support the advancement of KNX101 as a potential treatment for chronic agitation and aggression associated with dementia.

In connection with Main Sequence’s investment, Dr Elaine Stead will join the Kinoxis Board. Dr Stead is a venture capitalist, entrepreneur and scientist with extensive experience in healthcare innovation, venture investment and technology commercialisation. She is a member of the investment team at Main Sequence, where she focuses on investing in transformative healthcare technologies. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry and brings to the Kinoxis Board deep expertise in healthcare innovation, strategic investment, commercialisation and governance.

Her appointment strengthens the Board as Kinoxis continuesto advance its clinical-stage and broader ALOX15 programs and pursue the development and commercial potential of its pipeline.

With the financing and CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline grant secured, Kinoxis will continue progressing the CARES-X Phase 2 clinical trial towards top line data in mid-2027, while advancing its next-generation ALOX15 inhibitors and pursuing strategic partnership opportunities across neuropsychiatry and pain.

END

Media Contact

Hugh Alsop

0439080353

hugh.alsop@kinoxistherapeutics.com

About Kinoxis

Kinoxis Therapeutics is a private clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class small molecule inhibitors of ALOX15. ALOX15 is key driver of circuit dysregulation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration.

The primary target indications for Kinoxis ALOX15 inhibitors are agitation associated with dementia and pain, with alcohol use disorder identified as an indication expansion opportunity. Pathological ALOX15 signalling has been linked to all these disorders. Importantly, based on workto-date, our ALOX15 inhibitors avoid the major safety limitations of current therapeutics for these indications with no apparent sedation, cardiovascular risk, or abuse liability.

KNX100 is a rapid, short-acting small-molecule inhibitor of ALOX15 being developed for the treatment of acute agitation and aggression associated with dementia. KNX100 is being evaluated in the CARES-X Phase 2 clinical trial, currently underway in Australia.

KNX101, a next-generation, long-acting ALOX15 inhibitor has been designed to address acute and chronic pain, as well as chronic agitation in dementia. KNX101 is commencing IND enabling studies this year.

‍