Startup boasts pipeline of candidates targeting neuromuscular, neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic diseases.
Belgian biotech Augustine Therapeutics has raised $84.8 million in an oversubscribed Series A financing round to advance its pipeline of HDAC6 inhibitors targeting neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic diseases.
HDAC6 is a cytoplasmic regulator involved in key cellular processes relating to neurodegeneration and tissue aging. While its therapeutic potential has been extensively validated through research and preclinical studies, the company says that HDAC6 inhibitors (typically based on hydroxamic acid and/or hydrazide) have historically struggled with off-target effects and toxicity risks.
Augustine claims to have addressed these challenges with a new class of selective inhibitors designed for chronic disease treatment. The company has developed a novel “non-hydroxamate, non-hydrazide” producing chemotype that ensures selective inhibition while preserving the beneficial non-catalytic functions of HDAC6.
The new funding will support a Phase 1/2 proof-of-concept clinical trial of AGT-100216, Augustine’s lead candidate for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, a hereditary disorder of the peripheral nervous system. The company is also progressing two discovery-stage programs focused on peripherally restricted and blood-brain barrier-penetrant HDAC6 inhibitors for other neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic indications. These candidates are intended to maximize the therapeutic potential of HDAC6 inhibition across a range of chronic diseases.
Augustine Therapeutics was founded on the research of Professor Ludo Van Den Bosch from the VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, who identified HDAC6 inhibition as a promising treatment strategy for CMT and related neuropathies.
“The therapeutic potential of HDAC6 is widely recognized in our industry, but previous drug approaches have been sub-optimal, particularly for chronic diseases,” said Augustine CEO Dr Gerhard Koenig. “We now look forward to rapidly advancing our lead candidate into clinical trials for the treatment of CMT, while broadening the potential for our candidates to change treatment paradigms for neurological and cardio-metabolic diseases.”
The funding was co-led by Novo Holdings, the investment arm of Danish pharma giant Novo Nordisk, and Jeito Capital, with additional support from Asabys Partners, Eli Lilly and others. Novo’s Emmanuelle Coutanceau and Jeito’s Mehdi Ainouche join the company’s board of directors.
“Our mapping of the HDAC6i landscape has made us confident that Augustine’s innovative and rigorous approach to medicinal chemistry has yielded molecules with potential to be best-in-class,” said Coutanceau. “Additionally, Augustine will be expanding its activities in Denmark, accessing a unique ecosystem and pool of talent which will support the exploration of HDAC6i in cardio-metabolic diseases.”
Photograph of Dr Gerhard Koenig courtesy of Augustine Therapeutics