BRIEF—Centauri given $1.25m to advance antimicrobials

UK-based immunotherapy firm Centauri Therapeutics has secured a £1 million ($1.25 million) grant from PACE (Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy) to further develop its Alphamer technology.

The innovative platform targets Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains. Alphamer molecules employ a dual mechanism, directly attacking bacteria while recruiting natural antibodies to enhance pathogen clearance.

PACE, launched in 2023, is a partnership of Innovate UK, LifeArc, and Medicines Discovery Catapult.

Centauri chief executive Jennifer Schneider said the company, which focuses on vulnerable patient populations, was: "de-risking opportunities across multiple therapeutic areas."