Centauri Therapeutics has secured $5.1 million in additional funding from CARB-X, raising their total financial support to $12.3 million since 2019. Known for its innovative Alphamer® platform, Centauri is focused on developing therapies for high-risk, vulnerable patients suffering from drug-resistant infections and cancer. The recent funding emphasizes a global commitment to addressing urgent healthcare challenges and aims to further Centauri’s promising developments in the pharmaceutical industry.
Centauri’s collaborations with CARB-X began in 2019, initially focusing on creating anti-infective therapies. Previous reports highlighted the company’s early success using its proprietary technology to manipulate the body’s immune response, showcasing potential benefits across a range of therapeutic areas. Over time, the company has strategically extended its applications to include oncology, revealing promising proof-of-concept results that have garnered continued support.
What does the additional funding mean for Centauri?
The recent infusion of capital means Centauri can now confidently advance its ABX-01 program towards first-in-human clinical trials. This broad-spectrum antimicrobial candidate is specially engineered to combat drug-resistant Gram-negative infections, a significant threat in modern healthcare. With the backing from CARB-X, Centauri inches closer to delivering these much-needed therapies to clinical settings.
How does the Alphamer® platform work?
The Alphamer® platform at the core of Centauri’s innovation uses antibody-recruiting molecules to direct immune responses precisely against disease-causing pathogens. This approach merges intrinsic antibacterial properties with immune-mediated mechanisms, such as complement fixation and phagocytosis, to tackle hard-to-treat infections. By harnessing the body’s innate defenses, Centauri aims to develop therapies that offer enhanced treatment possibilities.
Dr. Jennifer Schneider, CEO of Centauri, expressed confidence and gratitude for continued support,
The unwavering scientific and financial support from CARB-X has provided stability to Centauri as a company, expanded understanding of our Alphamer platform, and enabled us to progress the ABX-01 programme from discovery, through early development, and is now providing a smooth and continuous path towards First in Human clinical studies.
Dr. Erin Duffy from CARB-X echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of their collaboration over the years,
We have been proud to support Centauri, beginning with answering key questions on the approach and continuing with the drug discovery that has led to the lead asset of ABX-01 and its progression towards building a dossier to support its advancement into first-in-human clinical trials.
The capacity to treat high-risk patients with multi-drug resistant infections remains a priority. Centauri’s candidate from the ABX-01 program is engineered to treat Gram-negative lung infections, a critical area due to the increasing threat posed by resistant bacterial strains. The dual action of the new compound underscores the company’s commitment to tackling these healthcare challenges effectively.
Achieving significant milestones within therapeutic innovation is challenging but critical, especially under the imminent threat of antibiotic resistance. Securing significant funding showcases confidence in Centauri’s methodologies and aspirations. As Centauri pushes its lead candidate into clinical phases, the support from established organizations will likely fortify ongoing and future research efforts. Through innovative technologies and dedicated research, Centauri theorizes promising avenues in combating resilient infections.
