£1m grant for hi-tech firm’s bid to reduce anti-microbial infections

An Alderley Park-based immunotherapy company has been awarded a £1m grant by PACE (Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy).

Centauri Therapeutics offers a unique and proprietary platform technology applicable across a wide range of therapeutic indications.

PACE is 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.

Dr Jennifer Schneider, Centauri CEO, said: “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.

“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.”