Engitix

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)-based drug discovery and development for treatment of fibrosis and solid tumours.

Male researcher using a machine

Engitix is developing a portfolio of programmes in fibrosis and solid tumours using its pioneering human extracellular matrix (ECM) drug discovery platform, stemming from UCL’s Institute for Liver and Digestive Health. 

The ECM, when healthy, is an intricate web of fibrous strands that support and connect every cell in human tissues. This network is an active environment that regulates cell behaviour, nutrient exchange, and tissue repair. But in chronic disease, this once-supportive architecture begins to turn against a person.

The use of more physiologically-relevant human in vitro models is transforming their ability to identify new targets, to develop more advanced treatments and to enable a more accurate prediction of the efficacy of therapeutic candidates.

The company is headquartered in White City Place, London, UK.

The Engitix journey so far: 

  • 2016: spinout founded 
  • 2018: $7 million Seed round for advancing the first human ECM platform for drug discovery in fibrosis and solid tumours
  • 2019: 
    • UCL Innovation & Enterprise Award, Provost’s Spirit of Enterprise Award
    • Takeda awarded Engitix a Golden Ticket to establish its presence in LabCentral, Cambridge, MA
    • Partnership signed with Morphic Therapeutic for ECM-related target ID in inflammatory bowel disease
  • 2020: Exclusive partnership with Takeda for ECM-related drug target discovery, development and commercialisation in liver fibrosis
  • 2022: $54M Series A fundraise to support the development of Engitix internal pipeline in fibrosis and solid tumours
  • 2025: Engitix listed in the Sunday Times 100 Tech, Sifted 250 and Top 50 Healthcare Technology companies
  • 2026: 
    • $25m Series A Extension Financing
    • Partnership with GSK to identify and validate novel therapeutic targets driving liver fibrosis regression

Dr. Adam Hajjar

Senior Business Manager

UCL School of Pharmacy

Dr. Hajjar supports School of Pharmacy technologies, bringing 30+ years’ IP and commercialisation experience, including time at BP. He holds a BSc in Microbiology and a PhD in Biochemistry.