Centauri Therapeutics Limited has secured an additional $5.1 million in funding from CARB-X (Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator) to advance their lead antimicrobial compound ABX-01 toward first-in-human clinical trials. This latest investment brings CARB-X's total financial support for the company's Alphamer platform and lead compound development to $12.3 million since 2019.
The funding will enable Centauri to complete non-clinical safety and efficacy studies with ABX-01, with the company planning to initiate first-in-human clinical studies in early 2026. Centauri announced the selection of its first clinical candidate in the ABX-01 programme in March 2025.
Novel Dual-Mechanism Approach
The ABX-01 candidate represents a broad-spectrum antimicrobial specifically selected to combat clinically prevalent and multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. Built on Centauri's proprietary Alphamer platform, the compound is designed to target serious Gram-negative bacterial infections in the lung, expanding therapeutic options for the most vulnerable patients.
The compound employs a unique dual mechanism of action, combining immunotherapeutic effects through complement fixation and phagocytosis with intrinsic antibacterial properties within a single molecule. Early efficacy studies have demonstrated the compound's activity against Gram-negative bacteria.
Industry Support and Development Progress
"The unwavering scientific and financial support from CARB-X has provided stability to Centauri as a company, expanded understanding of our Alphamer platform, and enabled us to progress the ABX-01 programme from discovery, through early development, and is now providing a smooth and continuous path towards First in Human clinical studies," said Dr. Jennifer Schneider, Chief Executive Officer of Centauri Therapeutics.
Dr. Schneider emphasized the clinical significance of their work, stating, "We are thankful for CARB-X and their continued engagement and confidence, which has allowed us to move a step closer to delivering a much needed therapeutic for serious, drug-resistant Gram-negative infections, even in the most clinically vulnerable patients."
Dr. Erin Duffy, Chief of Research and Development at CARB-X, commented on the partnership: "We have been proud to support Centauri, beginning with answering key questions on the approach and continuing with the drug discovery that has led to the lead asset of ABX-01 and its progression towards building a dossier to support its advancement into first in human clinical trials."
Funding Sources and Regulatory Framework
CARB-X's funding for this project is provided through multiple sources, including federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, and Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority under agreement number 75A50122C00028. Additional support comes from awards from Wellcome (WT224842) and Germany's Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).
