07:24 AM EST, 01/02/2026 (MT Newswires) -- XORTX Therapeutics ( XRTX ) said Friday that peer-reviewed independent research lend further support to the company's approach to treating gout, kidney and other diseases by inhibiting xanthine oxidase (XO).

XORTX's planned clinical trial using its commercial formulation of oxypurinol will bring it closer to preparing a new drug application for this gout therapy, a statement said.

"These discoveries highlight an opportunity to develop a personalized therapeutic approach for individuals whose unique genetic factors predispose them to disease, and the need for xanthine oxidase inhibition to treat those individuals at risk," said chief executive Allen Davidoff.

The company also provided an update on its acquisition of the renal anti-fibrotic therapeutic program from Vectus Biosystems, an Australian Securities Exchange-listed company, first announced last October. Closing is expected by Jan. 13, and Vectus is waiting to hear from the ASX on whether shareholder approval is required for the sale of the VB4-P5 intellectual property. Both companies remain committed to finalizing the acquisition, a statement said.

Xortx has also reduced its board to five members after three members resigned and the appointment of Krysta Davies Foss as a director. Foss is chief executive officer of Triad Strategic Services, a pharma and biotech strategy consulting firm.