An epigenetics company, Acetylon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. focused on the development of safe, selective inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs) active in the treatment of cancer, neurodegeneration, and other life-threatening diseases. Acetylons lead drug candidate, ACY-1215, is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Acetylon's underlying technology was initially developed at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and at Harvard University. In 2013 Acetylon entered into a collaboration agreement with Celgene that Celgene the exclusive right to acquire Acetylon at some later point in the future. In December 2016 it was announced that Celgene had acquired the firm. Prior to the consummation of the acquisition, Acetylon spun out a new company, Regenacy Pharmaceuticals, LLC, indicated as being focused on the development of novel drug candidates that selectively regenerate intracellular transport and upregulate gene expression to modify the course of disease. Regenacy received exclusive worldwide rights to Acetylons Phase 2 selective histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibitor, ricolinostat (ACY-1215), for the treatment of certain non-cancer disease indications including neuropathies, as well as Acetylons preclinical selective HDAC1,2 inhibitor candidates and patent families for development in all human disease indications including sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia.
