Leuven-based Augustine Therapeutics NV, a BioTech firm targeted on creating new therapies for neuromuscular, neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic illnesses via the inhibition of the cytosolic Histone DeACetylase 6 (HDAC6) enzyme, immediately introduced it accomplished its €77.7 million Sequence A financing spherical.
The oversubscribed financing was co-led by Novo Holdings and Jeito Capital, supported by present traders Asabys Companions, who led an preliminary €17.5 million closing in 2024, Eli Lilly and Firm, AdBio companions, V-Bio Ventures, PMV, VIB, Gemma Frisius Fund, the US-based Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Analysis Basis and Newton Biocapital.
Gerhard Koenig, PhD, CEO of Augustine mentioned: “This vital financing is a testomony to the revolutionary medicinal chemistry that Augustine was based on, which acts by way of a novel mechanism of motion. The therapeutic potential of HDAC6 is broadly recognised in our trade, however earlier drug approaches have been sub-optimal, notably for continual illnesses. At Augustine, we consider we’ve got solved these challenges with a novel non-hydroxamate, non-hydrazide producing chemotype which is very selective and avoids the everyday limitations of prior chemotypes, unlocking HDAC6 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy.
“We now look ahead to quickly advancing our lead candidate into scientific trials for the remedy of CMT, whereas broadening the potential for our candidates to vary remedy paradigms for neurological and cardio-metabolic illnesses. I want to thank our new and present traders for his or her unwavering help as we proceed to advance into scientific growth.”
Augustine Therapeutics was based in 2019 on the analysis of Prof. Ludo Van Den Bosch from the VIB-KU Leuven Centre for Mind and Illness Analysis in Belgium, who recognized HDAC6 inhibition as a promising strategy for the remedy of CMT and different neuropathies. Augustine was initially fashioned and seed-funded by V-Bio Ventures, AdBio Companions, VIB, PMV, and Gemma Frisius Fund. The Firm just lately appointed skilled biopharma chief Gerhard Koenig, PhD, who had served as Government Chairman since June 2024, to guide the Firm as CEO in January 2025.
Augustine Therapeutics is a biotechnology firm targeted on the remedy of neuromuscular, neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic illnesses via its next-generation strategy to selectively inhibit HDAC6. Augustine’s HDAC6 inhibitors have been purposefully designed to selectively inhibit HDAC6 whereas preserving its helpful non-catalytic features.
HDAC6 is concerned in neurodegeneration and tissue aging-related mobile processes, and pharmacologic inhibition of HDAC6 is a promising strategy in quite a few illnesses, in accordance with Augustine.
Augustine have reportedly designed a novel next-generation strategy to selectively inhibit HDAC6 whereas preserving its helpful non-catalytic features. This novel non-hydroxamate, non-hydrazine producing strategy seeks to keep away from the constraints of earlier HDAC6i and has vital potential in CMT, the most typical hereditary dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system, affecting roughly three million folks worldwide.
With further unbiased and differentiated programmes targeted on brain-penetrant and peripheral-restricted molecules, Augustine’s pipeline of HDAC6 inhibitors has additional potential in a number of illnesses, together with neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic issues.
Emmanuelle Coutanceau, PhD, Companion, Seed Investments, Novo Holdings, commented: “Our mapping of the HDAC6i panorama has made us assured that Augustine’s revolutionary and rigorous strategy to medicinal chemistry has yielded molecules with potential to be best-in-class. HDAC6 inhibition exhibits nice promise in lots of indications, and we’re enthused to start out our collaboration with Augustine’s top-tier administration group. Moreover, Augustine might be increasing its actions in Denmark, accessing a novel ecosystem and pool of expertise which is able to help the exploration of HDAC6i in cardio-metabolic illnesses.”
The proceeds might be used to advance Augustine’s lead candidate, AGT-100216, via a Part I/II proof-of-concept scientific trial in CMT. Past AGT-100216, Augustine has two different programmes in discovery concentrating on peripherally-restricted and blood-brain barrier-penetrant HDAC6i for undisclosed neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic indications.
Mehdi Ainouche, PharmD, Senior Principal, at Jeito Capital, mentioned: “This funding illustrates the potential of Augustine to carry thrilling innovation in therapeutic areas the place sufferers have restricted or no remedy choices. We’re delighted to co-lead this financing to understand Augustine’s potential, which stands out for each the standard of its analysis and the experience of Gerhard and his group. We look ahead to our future collaboration, which shares a typical ambition: to speed up scientific growth with a view to carry these improvements to sufferers.”
Emmanuelle Coutanceau, PhD, Companion at Seed Investments, Novo Holdings, and Mehdi Ainouche, PharmD, Senior Principal at Jeito Capital have joined Augustine Therapeutics’ Board of Administrators. Annette Clancy, Operational Investor at Jeito Capital, and Marie Schroeder, PhD, Vice President at Seed Investments, Novo Holdings will be a part of as Board Observers.
