VIENNA, Austria and BUDAPEST, Hungary, May 12, 2026 / Biotech Newswire / — AOP Health, a global pharmaceutical enterprise group focused on integrated therapies for rare diseases and critical care, today announced a strategic partnership with VRG Therapeutics, an AI-driven developer for miniproteins based in Budapest. The collaboration aims to advance a novel Kv1.3 potassium channel inhibitor, a key regulator of immune cell activity, for use in inflammation and immunology (I&I) indications.

The collaboration centers on a next-generation miniprotein candidate discovered using VRG Therapeutics’ AI-MPRO platform, an AI-based system to design and test new miniproteins.  This platform combines artificial intelligence-driven protein design with experimental validation to generate highly selective, target-specific miniproteins. The partners will focus on generating additional preclinical proof-of-concept data in selected indications to support progression towards first-in-human studies.

Targeting Kv1.3 with a Novel Therapeutic Approach
Kv1.3 is a clinically validated target that plays a critical role in the regulation of pathogenic immune cells in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Selective inhibition of Kv1.3 holds significant promise in modulating immune responses that drive disease while reducing side effects. The partners leverage the exceptional selectivity and precision of the miniprotein modality to overcome the limitations of previous advancements in the Kv1.3 field.

Combining Platform Innovation with Clinical Development Expertise
The partnership brings together VRG Therapeutics’ AI-driven miniprotein discovery capabilities with AOP Health’s 30 years of experience in developing therapies for indications in areas of high unmet medical need.
For AOP Health, the agreement marks an expansion of its external R&D activities into a complex and scientifically active area of immunology. For VRG Therapeutics, the collaboration represents an important validation of its AI-MPRO platform and supports the advancement of its technology toward clinical application.  

“VRG’s AI-MPRO platform has demonstrated the ability to generate highly selective candidates against complex biological targets,” said Martin Steinhart, CEO of AOP Health Group. “We see strong potential in targeting Kv1.3 for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and look forward to advancing this program toward clinical evaluation.”

“With its established development capabilities and strong track record in addressing unmet medical needs, AOP Health is an ideal partner for this program.” commented Zalán Péterfi, Chairman of the Board and Managing Director at VRG Therapeutics. “Advancing together the Kv1.3 program, we intend to expand our partnership to fully exploit the platform potential.” 

About AOP HealthAOP Health is a global enterprise group with roots in Austria, where the headquarters of AOP Orphan Pharmaceuticals GmbH (“AOP Health”) is located. Since 1996, the AOP Health Group has been dedicated to developing innovative solutions to address unmet medical needs, particularly in the fields of rare diseases and intensive care medicine. The group has established itself internationally as a pioneer in integrated therapy solutions and operates worldwide through subsidiaries, representations, and a strong network of partners. With the claim “Needs. Science. Trust.” the AOP Health Group emphasizes its commitment to research and development, as well as the importance of building relationships with physicians and patient advocacy groups to ensure that the needs of these stakeholders are reflected in all aspects of the company’s actions. (aop-health.com)

About VRGVRG Therapeutics is an innovative biotechnology company headquartered in Budapest, focused on the discovery and development of next-generation miniprotein therapeutics targeting challenging biological mechanisms. The company leverages its proprietary AI-MPRO platform, which integrates computational protein design, high-throughput screening, and machine learning–driven analytics to generate highly selective and potent drug candidates. With a strong scientific foundation and an experienced team, VRG Therapeutics is advancing a growing pipeline of therapeutic programs with the potential to deliver differentiated best-in-class and first-in-class treatments.

Ljubljana / Budapest – 20.2.2026 – GenePlanet d.o.o., a leading European genomics company specialising in genetic testing, has acquired New Era Genetics, a Hungarian genetic testing company based in Budapest, from Vascular Group.

The acquisition represents a strategic step in GenePlanet’s continued expansion across Central and Eastern Europe and strengthens its local presence, laboratory capabilities and partnerships in Hungary.

By joining the GenePlanet group, New Era Genetics becomes part of a global company, supported by GenePlanet’s proven expertise, scalable platforms and European laboratory infrastructure.

“This acquisition aligns with our long-term strategy of building strong local hubs supported by central scientific expertise and technology,” said Sebastjan Gergeta, Chief Strategy Officer of GenePlanet. “Hungary is an important market for us, and New Era Genetics is a natural fit in terms of quality standards, medical focus and values.”

Together, the companies now offer a broader portfolio of genetic solutions for healthcare professionals and patients.

Zoltán Merhala, Director of New Era Genetics, added: “This step strengthens our long-term stability and gives us access to additional expertise and operational resources, allowing us to further develop our services.”

With this acquisition, GenePlanet further strengthens its position as a leading European provider of genetic testing, now operating in more than 50 countries and offering an increasingly broad spectrum of high-quality, clinically relevant genetic solutions.

About GenePlanet

GenePlanet d.o.o. is a European genomics company specialising in preventive and medical genetic testing. With more than 18 years of experience, GenePlanet operates across more than 50 countries worldwide, supporting over 5.000 healthcare professionals, partners and patients with clinically relevant genetic insights. The company combines EU-based laboratory infrastructure, advanced bioinformatics and strict data protection standards (ISO 27001).

About New Era Genetics

New Era Genetics is a Hungary-based genetic testing company focused on delivering genetic solutions to healthcare professionals and patients. The company works closely with medical partners to support preventive care, diagnostics and informed clinical decision-making within the Hungarian healthcare system.

About Vascular Group

Vascular Group is a Hungary-based life sciences and healthcare innovation group focused on the identification, validation, and commercialization of high-impact biomedical and healthcare technologies. Through its integrated network of research, clinical, and investment platforms, the group supports the growth of globally competitive health innovation initiatives.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY, February 20, 2024/ EINPresswire.com/ — VRG Therapeutics(VRG Tx), a biotechnology R&D company focusing on miniprotein pharmaceuticals and cellular & gene therapy (CGT) products has announced the successful experimental verification of its proprietary, artificial intelligence-(AI)-powered drug discovery technology.
Using the company’s established, directed evolution based miniprotein platform, VRG Tx has previously demonstrated the capability to drastically improve the pharmacological properties of already identified peptide ligands. Indeed, the evolved drug candidates proved their potential in vivo, in relevant autoimmune and cancer animal proof of concept studies.

We are pleased to inform you that based on the jury’s opinion, VRGT was selected in the Global Startup Awards program among the best emerging companies in Central Europe (CE) in two categories: Startup of the Year 2023 & Newcomer of the Year 2023! The category winners within CE will be announced in January, 2024, where in addition to the jury’s opinion, the audience’s votes (public voting) will be taken into account. Therefore, we would kindly ask you to vote for VRGT in both categories via the links below:

1. Startup of the Year 2023: https://public-voting.globalstartupawards.com/competition-public-voting/633e9631a225bb5bd095fe6b?nominationId=6513d35f8a80896cfec4ea69

2. Newcomer of the Year 2023: https://public-voting.globalstartupawards.com/competition-public-voting/633e9631a225bb5bd095fe6b?nominationId=651dbd5d8a80896cfecc8c11

We are proud to share that our Managing Director, Zalán Péterfi has participated at the second roundtable of MBH Bank’s Macronome Macroverse conference, where the results and challenges of the Hungarian innovation ecosystem and Hungary’s position in European terms were discussed. Participants also talked about how to improve Hungary’s innovation and technology situation.

We are happy to announce that Ádám Jenőfalvi, a student researcher at VRG Therapeutics won first prize at the student association conference („TDK”) at Budapest University of Technology and Economics in Section Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Food Sciences. His thesis describes the engineering of a recombinant live biotherapeutic product (rLBP) to treat inflammatory bowel diseases. Congratulations Ádám, we are proud to see that your work is also recognised beyond our lab!

We are happy and thrilled to announce that our Kv1.3 pitch was chosen as “Best Innovative Business Proposal” by a board of investors on Startup Breeding, an annual event of Cluster Nazionale Scienze della Vita ALISEI, the Italian National Cluster for Life Sciences. Furthermore, we received the Special Awards of 2i3T – Innovative Companies Incubator of the University of Turin and Bioindustry Park Silvano Fumero S.p.A. Società Benefit. It was a fantastic event and we’re grateful to the organizers for their excellent work.

We are proud to be part of the BIO-Europe 2023 Startup Spotlight as one of the selected companies! It’s a privilege to share the stage with such forward-thinking biotech startups.

We are thrilled to announce that VRG Therapeutics has been selected to present in front of top-tier VC investors in the Startup Spotlight competition at Bio Europe 2023, organized with the support of Bayer Co.Lab incubator. We pitch our Kv1.3 asset aiming to cure autoimmune diseases. You’ll have the opportunity to meet with Zalán Péterfi and Márton Megyeri Ph.D. at the event in Munich. Register now to join us! https://bit.ly/3Sm2CY8 #BioEurope

Our colleague, Patrik Szekér participated in the International Biotech Days 2023 organized by the Hungarian Biotechnology Student Association, and gave a talk on our Kv1.3 asset aiming to cure autoimmune diseases. The event was supported by VRG Therapeutics.