Centauri Therapeutics Ltd, an immunotherapy company has announced the publication of a peer-reviewed study in The Journal of Immunology (Hairsine, 2025). The paper presents proof-of-concept data for CTX-09, an early molecule built on the Company’s proprietary Alphamer® platform.
In the study, CTX-09 demonstrated strong immune-mediated efficacy via recruitment of anti-αGal antibodies against multi-drug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacterial strains, in both in vitro and in vivo models, providing foundational proof-of-concept data for the Alphamer platform.
Current treatment options for Gram-negative bacterial infections are limited, and recent studies of new antibiotic agents do not demonstrate the required efficacy to meet clinical needs. Combined with the increasing prevalence of MDR strains, there is an urgent need for new treatment strategies to target Gram-negative infections, particularly in clinically vulnerable patient groups.
Published in The Journal of Immunology, the study describes the design of CTX-09, a bifunctional molecule comprising an antimicrobial targeting domain linked to an effector sugar moiety. The molecule leverages Centauri’s Alphamer immunotherapy platform, harnessing the effector sugar to mediate immune activations via recruitment of anti-αGal antibodies, the most abundant naturally occurring antibody in humans.
In the study, CTX-09 demonstrated in vitro activity against a broad range of Gram-negative bacteria, including MDR strains, and achieved immune-mediated bacterial clearance of >99.9% at sub-therapeutic doses in vivo, indicating potential for lowering effective dosing requirements. Data from the study provides clear validation for a novel anti-microbial immune therapeutic drug with a dual mechanism of action; intrinsic broad-spectrum bactericidal activity and immune-mediated clearance.
Reference
Hairsine B, et al (2025) Harnessing endogenous anti-glycan antibodies using a novel, bifunctional immunotherapy to treat gram-negative bacterial infections, The Journal of Immunology, 00, pp. 1–13
