p21-activated kinases (Pak) are a family of serine/threonine kinase effectors of the Rac and Cdc42 GTPases and are involved in multiple cellular processes including the regulation of cell shape, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and adhesion. The misregulation of Paks has been implicated in several disease conditions including cancers, Neurofibromatosis Types 1 and 2, and Fragile X Syndome, one of a number of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

NexGenix is pursuing a discovery stage program evaluating novel small molecule inhibitors of Paks for these indications. Efforts in this program have been supported in part by a $1.1 M grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to fund the development of a novel Pak inhibitor for NF2.