Centauri scoops up to £945K award to develop innovative antibiotics

Mike Westby, Director and CEO of Centauri Therapeutics.

Project will use the company's Alphamer technology, which is based on 'programmable immunity' in which chemically synthesized molecules redirect naturally occurring antibodies to selected pathogens to fight the infection.

Centauri plans to develop an innovative treatment for patients suffering from infections caused by resistant bacteria. Using the company’s Alphamer drug mechanism, chemically synthesised molecules will redirect pre-existing antibodies to pathogens in a specific manner that elicits an immune response. This immune response will mediate destruction of the bacteria to clear the infection, while working in conjunction with existing antibiotics to reduce the dose and duration of therapy. Unlike traditional vaccines, this approach aims to treat infected patients and has the potential to elicit a broader immune response than monoclonal antibodies alone.

The Alphamer technology is based on 'programmable immunity' in which chemically synthesised molecules redirect naturally occurring antibodies to selected pathogens to fight the infection. The molecules have two distinct parts: one end binds a cell-surface target on the pathogen using an aptamer whereas the other end presents specific epitopes that attach to the circulating antibodies. It has been demonstrated that Alphamers have the potential to redirect pre-existing antibodies to bacteria in a specific manner and trigger an immediate antibacterial immune response, so clearing the infection.

Dr Mike Westby, Director and CEO of Centauri Therapeutics, commenting on the award said: “The lack of new antibiotics combined with increasing incidence of bacterial resistance in the clinic has been termed ‘the perfect storm’ and there is an urgent need for innovative methods and efficacious therapies. The BMC Award is a significant recognition of Centauri’s scientific expertise and demonstrates the UK government’s confidence in our team’s ability to combat antibacterial resistance and deliver novel treatments for patients.”

Total costs for the project titled ‘Optimisation of antibody recruiting molecules as immunotherapeutics’ are estimated at £1.35 million. The co-funding from Innovate UK will cover up to 70% of this, with Centauri’s investors supporting the remaining 30% of the project costs over a 2-year period.