Launch of biotech company Forth Tx to transform fibrosis treatments

Forth Tx builds on the pioneering research led by Professor Neil Henderson, an expert in fibrosis and tissue regeneration at the University’s Institute for Regeneration and Repair. Their aim is to identify antifibrotic targets and develop targeted interventions to halt and potentially reverse the course of fibrotic disease.

Organ fibrosis (scarring) is a major cause of illness and death around the world, and currently, there are no effective treatments to stop it. 

Neil Henderson’s research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind organ fibrosis, as well as the pathways responsible for healthy tissue healing and regeneration after injury. 

As well as holding access to one of the largest single-cell human liver disease datasets in the world, Forth Tx also uses single-cell genomics. This revolutionising approach allows us to study individual cells in much finer detail, providing new insights into how diseases like fibrosis develop and progress. 

This knowledge will help accelerate the development of effective new therapies for patients with fibrotic diseases.

Headquartered in Edinburgh and Cambridge, the biotech company is supported by Sofinnova Partners, a prominent European life sciences venture capital firm, and Old College Capital (OCC), The University of Edinburgh’s venture investment fund. The company also benefits from Sofinnova’s €165M Biovelocita II fund.