Centauri acquires Alphamer immuno-therapeutics platform technology from Altermune

The company bought full rights to patents, compounds, know-how and collaboration/licence deals from Altermune for an undisclosed amount.

Centauri will use the Alphamer technology for drug discovery and development with initial focus on anti-infective indications.

The company said 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 different parts with one end binding a cell-surface target on the pathogen leveraging an aptamer while the other end presents particular epitopes that attach to the circulating antibodies.

Centauri Therapeutics CEO Mike Westby said: "The emergence and rapid global spread of AMR pathogens means that there is a large potential market to treat life-threatening intractable diseases.

"Alphamers are chemically synthesised molecules designed to redirect the body’s own immune system to more effectively fight infection.

Centauri has also secured the initial tranche of £3m financing to develop its first lead candidate.

The company will use the funding to develop its lead Alphamers against anti-microbial resistant pathogens, which present a threat to human health.

Animatrix Capital, a regional investment fund, and private investors participated in the financing round.

Centauri has established a R&D facility at Discovery Park in Sandwich, Kent, to discover, optimize and develop novel Alphamers targeting acute hospital acquired infections.