Partner
Founded in 2022, ASTRA Therapeutics AG designs and develops novel parasitic agents (parasiticides) that control parasites by inhibiting cell division in parasites while sparing hosts. The company generates species-specific drug leads targeting tubulin, known as Parabulins®, through its proprietary drug development platform ParaX®.
Parabulins® are novel drugs (New Molecular Entities, NME) targeting important indications in the veterinary market. ASTRA’s pipeline includes over 15 patentable chemical classes featuring nanomolar-potent candidates for common parasites such as coccidia in farm animals and heartworm in dogs and cats. Initial in vivo proof of concept for multiple NMEs has been demonstrated.
Natacha Gaillard, PhD, Founder and Co-CEO of ASTRA Therapeutics:
“The animal health market is facing an ever-increasing need for novel anti-parasite drugs to combat the growing threat of drug resistance, ensure the health and welfare of our pets, and maintain healthy and efficient food production.”
Ashwani Sharma, PhD, also Founder and Co-CEO of ASTRA Therapeutics:
“Our platform is designed to exploit structural differences between essential proteins in parasites and the host animals, enabling creation of new drugs that should be both effective and safe.”
Andreas Kastenbauer, Partner at MIG Capital:
“We see tremendous commercial potential for new drugs that control worms. With renowned structural biologists Dr. Natacha Gaillard and Dr. Ashwani Sharma in the lead and strong support from a team of market and business developers experienced in drug discovery, licensing and biotech financing, this is the right company to achieve success.”