XORTX Therapeutics Inc.

Calgary – October 12, 2026 -- XORTX Therapeutics Inc. has elected to voluntarily delist its common shares from the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV), ending a dual listing it says no longer justifies its cost. The company will keep its primary listing on Nasdaq (XRTX) and its Frankfurt listing (ANU).

XORTX, a late-stage clinical pharmaceutical company developing therapies for gout and progressive kidney disease, will announce the timing of the delisting in a separate press release.

XORTX cites duplicate fees and regulatory complexity as reasons for leaving the TSXV

The company said a comprehensive evaluation concluded that the TSXV listing does not justify its costs and administrative requirements. It also said the different regulatory environments create challenges.

XORTX expects the delisting to deliver four outcomes:

Calgary – October 12, 2026 -- XORTX Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: XRTX | TSXV: XRTX | Frankfurt: ANU) has appointed Depesh Narotam, a financial services executive with more than 20 years of experience, to its board as an independent director effective July 27, 2026.

Board determines Narotam meets Nasdaq and Canadian independence standards

The board determined that Narotam, 43, is independent under applicable Nasdaq listing standards and Canadian securities laws. He also joins the board's Compensation, Governance and Nominating Committee.

Narotam is a resident of British Columbia, Canada.

Calgary – October 12, 2026 -- XORTX Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: XRTX | TSXV: XRTX | Frankfurt: ANU) said board chairman Anthony Giovinazzo is stepping down from the board of directors, citing personal reasons and a wish to pursue other interests.

Giovinazzo leaves after several years as chairman and committee member

Giovinazzo led the board as chairman for the past several years and also served on key committees. Co-CEO Dr. Allen Davidoff credited him with leadership and ethics of the highest standards in both roles. Davidoff said management and the board extend their appreciation for his efforts.

The company did not name a successor chairman or give a departure date. The release also did not say whether Giovinazzo's committee seats will be refilled.

XORTX advances five programs in gout and kidney disease

The late-stage clinical pharmaceutical company is developing three clinically advanced products:

Calgary – October 12, 2026 -- XORTX Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: XRTX | TSXV: XRTX) has rescinded a US$2.5 million investor relations agreement with IR Agency LLC and recovered the full fee. The company is postponing its marketing push while it exits the TSX Venture Exchange.

XORTX terminates 90-day IR contract effective August 7, 2026

The agreement, dated May 13, 2026, ran for 90 days from May 18, 2026. It covered 10 marketing days of news distribution campaigns for an aggregate fee of US$2.5 million, payable in advance. The fee had been fully earned on receipt and was non-refundable.

Both parties agreed to rescind the arrangement, and all services under it have been discontinued. The funds were returned to XORTX in August 2026. The release cites both August 7 and August 14 as the return date.

Calgary – October 12, 2026 -- XORTX Therapeutics Inc. has re-engaged IR Agency LLC for investor relations and marketing services, following completion of its voluntary delisting from the TSX Venture Exchange.

XORTX restores IR Agency LLC consulting agreement on previously disclosed terms

The new consulting agreement carries substantially the same terms the company disclosed in news releases dated May 19, 2026 and August 28, 2026. The source gives no fee, share-based compensation or contract-length figures for the renewed engagement.

Delisting from TSX Venture Exchange precedes the renewed marketing push

The re-engagement comes after XORTX completed the delisting it had announced earlier. The company's filings reference ongoing compliance with Nasdaq listing standards, and its release states that Nasdaq has not approved or disapproved its contents.