Clinical stage biotechnology company Annexin Pharmaceuticals AB (FN STO:ANNX) said on Thursday that the World Health Organization (WHO) has selected vanexin as the proposed International Nonproprietary Name (INN) for its drug candidate ANXV.

This designation provides the drug substance with a globally recognised generic name for scientific, clinical and regulatory communications and marks a regulatory milestone for the program.

Vanexin, formerly known as ANXV, is a recombinant human Annexin A5 protein and the company's lead drug candidate, currently being evaluated in the Phase 2a NEXUS study for retinal vein occlusion and diabetic retinopathy.

Annexin Pharmaceuticals is also developing vanexin for potential future oncology applications, where the program remains at the preclinical stage.

The proposed INN has been published by the WHO and, if no obstacles to its use are identified, vanexin is expected to become the recommended INN at the end of 2026.