Centauri Therapeutics awarded £1M grant under new PACE programme to advance immunotherapy platform in anti-infectives

• Funding to support further development of lead programme for a novel therapeutic targeting Gram-negative bacteria including Multi-Drug-Resistant strains
• Optimisation will also support application of the Alphamer® platform across other therapeutic indications, including oncology.

25 November 2024 -- London, UK -- Centauri Therapeutics Limited (Centauri), an immunotherapy company with a unique and proprietary platform technology applicable across a wide range of therapeutic indications, today announced it has been awarded a £1M grant by PACE (Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy), a pioneering initiative focused on early-stage antimicrobial drug and diagnostic discovery. The funding will support the continued development of Centauri’s Alphamer® technology, in this case targeting Gram-negative bacteria including Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) bacterial strains.

Centauri’s lead anti-infective molecules exhibit a dual mechanism of action. By binding onto the surface of the bacteria, the molecules are able to both exert their antibacterial activity and recruit naturally occurring antibodies to rapidly clear the pathogen. This novel technology is aimed to benefit the most vulnerable patients affected by life-threatening bacterial infections. The funding from PACE will also enable Centauri’s ongoing and future research across multiple therapeutic indications.

Founded in 2023, PACE is a collaboration between three leaders in the UK’s health innovation and research community - Innovate UK, LifeArc, and Medicines Discovery Catapult. The partnership aims to work with the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) community to accelerate the speed of innovation and grow a pipeline of high-quality antimicrobial drugs and associated diagnostics.

"We are pleased that Centauri's project was selected to be funded in the first round of projects under PACE, in recognition of the value of this novel immunotherapeutic technology" commented Dr Jennifer Schneider, CEO, Centauri Therapeutics. “We are excited to have support from PACE as we progress the development of our molecules in anti-infectives, and de-risk opportunities across multiple therapeutic areas.”

Dr Beverley Isherwood, Programme Director, PACE, said: “Centauri’s immunotherapy platform provides a unique approach to addressing the rising threat of difficult-to-treat infections – one of our most complex health challenges. By working together with the brightest and best, providing support to companies such as Centauri, we aim to give leading antimicrobial innovations the greatest chance of success, advancing early-stage drug and diagnostic projects with greater speed, support, and confidence.”

About Centauri Therapeutics 
Centauri Therapeutics is an immunotherapy company, with a unique and proprietary platform technology applicable across a wide range of therapeutic indications. The Company’s initial focus is on infectious diseases, driven by an urgent unmet need for anti-infectives to treat the most vulnerable and at-risk patients. Centauri also has strong initial proof-of-concept data in oncology. Centauri’s Alphamer® platform has a unique mechanism of action, utilising an antibody recruiting molecule to harness the body’s natural immune response, and redirect antibodies to target diseases. Visit: www.centauritherapeutics.com.

About PACE 
PACE is a new and comprehensive approach to tackling one of the world’s most complex health challenges: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). PACE works with the AMR community and offers funding, support, and advice to help progress early-stage antimicrobial drug and diagnostic projects with greater speed and confidence – giving the best AMR innovations the greatest chance of success. PACE selects, invests in and supports projects that address the world’s most threatening pathogens. In doing so, it will deliver innovations for onward development and investment, moving them closer to clinical trials. Working together with the brightest and best, PACE will help tackle this rising threat to global health. PACE was founded in 2023 by LifeArc, Innovate UK and Medicines Discovery Catapult, with a £30 million programme of funding and support to be deployed over five years. Visit: www.paceamr.org.uk.