CALGARY, Alberta — December 31, 2025 — Leads & Copy — XORTX Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: XRTX | TSXV: XRTX | Frankfurt: ANU), a clinical pharmaceutical company focused on therapies for gout and progressive kidney disease, is highlighting peer-reviewed research reports that link genetic factors to xanthine oxidase (“XO”) over-expression and high uric acid concentrations.
These findings support the company’s approach to treating gout, kidney, and other diseases by inhibiting XO.
Historically, high uric acid concentration has been associated with gout, inflammation, and health consequences, linked to diet and lifestyle. Xanthine oxidase, an enzyme in the uric acid metabolic pathway, is required for purine nucleotide breakdown. XO’s breakdown products, uric acid and reactive oxygen species, may harm the circulatory system and tissue during disease. XORTX-sponsored discoveries in rodent models of gout and polycystic kidney disease (“PKD”) suggest that XO over-expression or over-activity may be an important target in treating this disease. Gout is a chronic disease caused by an immune response to uric acid crystal deposits.
Recent work by TJ Major and colleagues presented evidence that in a clinical study of 2.6 million individuals that as many as 410 genetic factors are associated with molecular mechanisms of the inflammatory component of gout. This aligns with evidence for XO over-expression in humans and work by Wang et al. linking genetic factors to PKD. Discoveries link genetic factors to higher XO expression associated with hyperuricemia, sepsis, organ failure, sepsis-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), kidney dysfunction, diabetes, polycystic kidney disease, and kidney failure. These studies advocate for a precision medicine approach where genetic risk variants guide treatment decisions.
Allen Davidoff, Ph.D., CEO of XORTX, stated that these research papers support the belief that pharmacologic targeting of XO holds therapeutic potential, specifically where increased XO activity is associated with non-diabetic or diabetic kidney diseases. He added that these discoveries highlight an opportunity to develop a personalized therapeutic approach for individuals whose unique genetic factors predispose them to disease and the need for xanthine oxidase inhibition to treat those individuals at risk. Davidoff believes that XORTX’s expertise in developing XO inhibitors, protected by a patent portfolio, combined with their therapeutic platform, is ideally positioned to deliver targeted therapeutics to individuals. He also mentioned that the planned clinical trial using their commercial formulation of oxypurinol will bring them closer to preparing a NDA (new drug application) for this gout therapy.
In corporate updates, XORTX announced the appointment of Krysta Davies Foss as a director and the resignation of Bill Farley, Abigail Jenkins, and Patrick Treanor, reducing the board to five members. Ms. Davies Foss is CEO of Triad Strategic Services and serves on multiple boards, including the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD). Her experience spans the full product development lifecycle.
Dr. Allen Davidoff said that Ms. Foss adds a strong board member to the company, and the company wishes to thank Bill Farley, Abigail Jenkins, and Pat Treanor for their efforts.
The company clarified its disclosure included in its news release of October 29, 2025 announcing the closing of the US$1.1 million Registered Direct Offering (the “Offering”). In that news release, the number of pre-funded warrants of 1,117,530 was incorrect. On closing, the Company issued 572,470 common shares and 1,177,530 pre-funded warrants, a difference of 60,000 pre-funded warrants, for a total of 1,750,000. D. Boral Capital LLC was also paid a cash commission of USD$77,175, equal to 7% of the gross proceeds of the Offering, in addition to the 87,500 agent warrants.
XORTX also provided an update on the timing for closing its acquisition of the Renal Anti-Fibrotic Therapeutic Program from Vectus Biosystems Limited’s (“Vectus”), an Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) listed company, that was announced on October 17, 2025. Vectus is awaiting approval from the ASX on whether shareholder approval is required for the sale of the VB4-P5 intellectual property. Pursuant to the binding term sheet that was entered into between XORTX and Vectus, closing is to occur no later than 90 days post signing, being January 13, 2026. XORTX and Vectus remain committed to finalizing the acquisition.
Allen Davidoff, CEO
Nick Rigopulos, Director of Communications
adavidoff@xortx.com or +1 403 455 7727
nick@alpineequityadv.com or +1 617 901 0785
Source: XORTX Therapeutics Inc.
