Endogena Therapeutics

Endogena Therapeutics is a biotech company in the clinical stage. It discovers and develops new regenerative medicines to repair and regenerate tissues and organs. They focus on tissues and organs that have deteriorated due to aging and genetic diseases. 

Stem cell therapies for rejuvenation

Their platform uses phenotypic screening to find small molecules. These molecules can activate, differentiate, or change the activity of adult stem and progenitor cells. This helps to repair tissues damaged by disease, injury, or aging.

Endogena is owned by or in a similar relationship with Centenara Labs.

Candidate EA-2353

Endogena’s most advanced program is EA-2353. This small molecule targets progenitor cells in the ciliary body. It helps promote retinal regeneration in retinitis pigmentosa. This condition includes several genetic disorders that affect the eye’s cones and leads to poor peripheral and night vision.

The FDA granted EA-2353 Orphan Drug Designation in May 2021. And in February 2023, it awarded Endogena a Fast-Track designation for EA-2253.

In preclinical models, EA-2353 stimulates ciliary body progenitor cells to migrate to the retina and differentiate into photoreceptors.

In a study using an animal model of retinal degeneration, EA-2353 improved electroretinographic (ERG) scores, contrast sensitivity, and visual acuity. Some eyes treated with EA-2353 regained visual and retinal function that they had lost. No control eyes showed this improvement. In a genetic model, a structural analog of EA-2253 improved ERG scores.

Endogena launched a Phase I trial of EA-2353 in people with retinitis pigmentosa in June of 2022. They reported interim results at the Ninth Annual Retinal Cell & Gene Therapy Innovation Summit in September of 2024.

The first three of five planned treatment groups had a total of 14 patients. They had a slower decrease in average best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) compared to the control group. This was observed through to the end of the first year.

These groups also had gains in low luminance visual acuity (LLVA), while the controls showed no change. Additionally, at 9 months, they had more improving light sensitivity loci than declining ones.

There were no cases of ocular inflammation related to EA-2353, and minimal problems with drug particles in the eye. However, the ClinicalTrials.gov entry for this trial states that it was terminated once all patients had completed at least one year of safety followup. This was instead of the intended two years “due to a corporate decision, not any safety concerns of EA-2353.”

Candidate EA-2351

Similar to EA-2353, EA-2351 targeted progenitor cells in the eye. But with EA-2351 the target was retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. RPE are macrophage-like cells in the retina of the eye which engulf and remove damaged photoreceptors. Their failure is a central cause of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD).It is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the developed world and the main cause of blindness in persons over 65.

A small number of ARMD patients with the “wet” form can improve their vision with treatments that target abnormal blood vessel growth. However, 80-90% of ARMD patients have the “dry” form. This form is marked by high levels of cell death in the central retina, known as the macula. EA-2351 is intended to treat geographic atrophy (GA), an advanced form of dry ARMD.

In 2024, Endogena reported that “EA-2351 promotes proliferation and maturation of human RPE cells, leading to wound repair”. This was confirmed in an in vitro model of GA.

In a rat model of GA caused by RPE atrophy from sodium iodate injection, EA-2351 improved electroretinogram readings. This improvement was significant compared to vehicle controls. However, it was unclear how this related to healthy animals. It was also uncertain if the c-wave, generated by the RPE and photoreceptors, was affected. The c-wave is not always included in the ERG. Visual acuity improved in eyes treated with EA-2351 compared to those given a vehicle control. These eyes also showed a much smaller area of RPE injury.

In October  2023, the FDA granted Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance for EA 2351. This set the stage for a trial in ARMD patients, which they expected to begin in 2024.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis candidate

Endogena’s pipeline section also lists a candidate that has completed lead optimization for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This is a terrible age-related disease characterized by lung scarring and a high burden of senescent cells.

Their website highlights that people with IPF have a short life expectancy. It states that “existing medications only slow down disease progression.” This creates “an urgent need to develop new, more effective, and well-tolerated drugs for IPF patients.” However, there are no details on the specific target or early data on the compound available.

Haematopoiesis Candidate

In 2021. Endogena listed a candidate for haematopoietic recovery on its pipeline chart. Hematopoietic recovery happens when the body begins to make blood cells again. This occurs after the blood-cell-making cells are damaged, like from chemotherapy or a bone marrow transplant.

This includes making all types of blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen. White blood cells fight infection. Platelets help with clotting.

However, while this indication continued to appear tangentially in press releases through 2023, it disappeared from the pipeline diagram. A search in August 2025 found no evidence on the testing of such a candidate.

The end of the road for Endogena

Unfortunately, the latest news on the Endogena page is from May 3, 2024. The most recent update from their parent company, Centenara, was on September 19, 2024. Their social media accounts are also very limited and ceased activity even earlier.

Combined with the early termination of the EA-2353 trial, we judge it likely that both companies have ceased operation.