OncoGenex

OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in the United States that develops therapies for cancer. The company uses antisense oligonucleotide technology and other targeted approaches to inhibit gene expression believed to contribute to tumor growth and resistance to treatment. The lead asset developed by OncoGenex was custirsen, also known as OGX-011, an antisense oligonucleotide that targets clusterin, a protein associated with cell survival and resistance to chemotherapy and radiation. By reducing clusterin levels, custirsen is intended to sensitize cancer cells to treatment and promote apoptosis.

OncoGenex pursued a portfolio of oncology programs, including additional antisense products and other targeted therapies, and conducted clinical trials across multiple cancer types. The company engaged in collaborations and licensing arrangements with other pharmaceutical and biotech firms to advance its candidates, reflecting a strategy of external partnerships to supplement internal development.

As a small-to-mid size biopharma, OncoGenex maintained an emphasis on translational research and the clinical development pathway, communicating regularly about trial design and outcomes. The status of its programs, regulatory progress, and corporate structure evolved over time in response to clinical results and strategic decisions. The company's work contributed to the broader field of antisense therapeutics and targeted cancer therapy, illustrating the ongoing exploration of gene-level approaches to cancer treatment.