Auspherix has discovered a new class of antibacterial compounds with a novel mechanism of action and activity against a broad range of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. Its lead compounds show pharmacokinetic profiles consistent with use as antibacterial drugs for multiple indications. The company aims to progress its discovery series through lead optimization to final candidate selection within the next two years. Auspherix is building UK operations at the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst site, expanding its management team and recruiting a world-class microbiology group. It plans to appoint a CEO in the coming months and pursue a flexible investment and partnering model to accelerate development and commercialization. Financially, Auspherix recently completed an institutional Series A equity financing to fund the drug discovery programme and team expansion. Auspherix is an early-stage anti-infectives company developing novel antibiotics to treat resistant bacterial diseases. In less than 12 months since its 2013 spinout from the ithree institute at the University of Technology Sydney, Auspherix has identified multiple antibacterial compounds with broad-spectrum activity against clinical isolates of antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Through a hit-to-lead programme with Domainex it has improved structure-activity relationships and enhanced the antibiotic activity of its initial compounds. The new AU$1 million Series A tranche from the Medical Research Commercialisation Fund will be used to further refine the lead compound series and to screen these in in vivo models in collaboration with Evotec. Auspherix operates a virtual business model with research directed by CSO and founder Professor Ian Charles and work conducted at universities in Australia and the UK and by UK-based partners. The company has strengthened its scientific team with appointments including Dr Ian Holmes and Dr Dagmar Alber and has engaged consultants Dr Alan Naylor and Dr Mike Tarbit. Subject to meeting near-term milestones, Auspherix intends to seek further investment and/or industry partnerships to move its novel antibiotics into pre-clinical and clinical development.

Total raised

$10M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Jun 2015