Dual-action therapy clears MDR bacteria in preclinical models

Centauri Therapeutics Limited, an immunotherapy company with a proprietary platform applicable across a wide range of diseases, has announced the publication of a landmark peer-reviewed study in The Journal of Immunology. The study offers foundational proof-of-concept data for CTX-09, an early-stage molecule built on the company’s novel Alphamer® platform. 

The findings demonstrate CTX-09’s strong immune-mediated efficacy against multi-drug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria – organisms notoriously difficult to treat with existing antibiotics. In both lab-based and animal studies, CTX-09 achieved over 99.9 percent bacterial clearance at sub-therapeutic doses, signalling the potential for more effective and lower-dose treatments in the future. 

Addressing a growing clinical need 

With GGram-negative bacterial infections becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, there is increased pressure to find new treatments. Current therapies are often inadequate, particularly for patients in vulnerable clinical settings. CTX-09 could offer a new solution. 

How CTX-09 works: a dual mechanism approach 

The paper describes CTX-09 as a bifunctional molecule, built by fusing an antimicrobial targeting domain with a sugar moiety. This innovative design allows the drug to direct the immune system toward the bacterial invaders. To do this, it leverages naturally occurring anti-αGal antibodies – the most abundant antibodies in the human body. 

The molecule leverages uses Centauri’s immunotherapy platform, harnessing the effector sugar to mediate immune activations via recruitment of anti-αGal antibodies. This dual-action strategy – broad-spectrum bactericidal activity coupled with targeted immune activation – sets CTX-09 apart from conventional antibiotics and supports its promise as a powerful new class of immune-mediated therapeutics. 

Early success and outlook 

The study validates the platform as a powerful immunotherapy engine. Centauri’s leadership has expressed strong confidence in this approach, with the company already advancing its lead candidate, ABX-01, toward clinical trials. 

“Centauri’s Alphamer platform has been uniquely developed as a powerful immune therapy that harnesses and empowers the body’s own naturally occurring antibodies to fight disease,” said Dr Jennifer Schneider, CEO of Centauri Therapeutics.  

“This publication reinforces our continued confidence in the platform, which forms the basis of our therapeutic pipeline, demonstrating clear evidence of efficacy in vivo. Thank you to our amazing team for their continued dedication in pursuit of this goal, and to our partners and investors for their ongoing support.” 

“This latest publication from our talented team of scientists at Centauri provides clear, foundational proof-of-concept data demonstrating the potential our innovative Alphamer platform to transform treatment options, in even clinically vulnerable patient groups,” added Dr Helen Bright, CSO of the company. “CTX-09 was an early molecule based on this platform, providing concept validation for a novel, dual mechanism of action anti-microbial immune therapeutic drug. We’re pleased to be able to showcase this data and are confident we will continue to build on these positive results as our lead candidate ABX-01 progresses towards Phase I clinical trials.” 

A promising step toward the future of infection treatment 

With this data now publicly available, Centauri Therapeutics is poised to take the next steps in developing new treatments for bacterial infections. As antibiotic resistance continues to rise, immune-based solutions like CTX-09 offer a new and innovative path forward.