Azitra Secures $14 Million Series A Funding to Advance Clinical Development of Precision Dermatology Therapies

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) has learned that on October 15, 2019, Azitra, a clinical-stage medical dermatology company, announced the completion of a $14 million Series A financing round. The round was co-led by KdT Ventures and existing investor Bios Partners, with participation from Connecticut Innovations and Godfrey Capital.

Azitra will use the funds raised to expand its management team and promote its medically developed dermatological products in clinics.

Azitra was founded in 2014 by Yale University scientists in Connecticut, USA. Since then, Azitra has established an internal Scientific Advisory Board composed of world-leading scientists in the fields of dermatology, microbiology, and genetic engineering.

As a biotechnology startup, Azitra is dedicated to leveraging biotherapeutics to treat skin diseases—including cancer-related rashes, Netherton syndrome, atopic dermatitis, and ichthyosis vulgaris—by combining microbiome functionality with cutting-edge molecular genetics.

Azitra’s goal is to treat diseases associated with malnutrition and microbial dysbiosis, improve skin barrier function, accelerate wound healing and tissue repair, and address skin inflammation. The company’s main products and their functions include: filaggrin (restores the skin barrier), LEKTI (restores missing protease inhibitors and treats Netherton syndrome), and IL-10 (suppresses inflammation).

“Azitra President and CEO Richard Andrews said, ‘We believe that the immense potential of the microbiome to improve skin health has only just begun to be realized.’”

“This funding will help us expand our management team and support the advancement of our key products into clinical trials in 2020. We have already initiated a series of clinical studies on the lead compound ATR-04 to address cancer and rash-related conditions, while also advancing TR-02 for the treatment of Netherton syndrome.”

“KdT Ventures Managing Partner Cain McClary stated, ‘We are impressed by the capabilities and scope of applications of the company’s proprietary platform. We look forward to collaborating with Azitra as they advance their drug candidates into clinical settings and have built a robust portfolio of innovative medical dermatology compounds.’”

“Travis Whitfill, Co-founder of Azitra and Partner at Bios Partners, said, ‘We believe 2020 will be a transformative year for Azitra as the company begins treating patients with debilitating skin diseases.’”

Bios Partners is a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in early-stage biopharmaceutical and medical device companies. Leveraging the expertise of its professional team, the firm actively collaborates with its portfolio companies to enhance stakeholder value. Founded in 2014, Bios Partners is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

KdT Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on applying data and cutting-edge computational technologies to the physical and life sciences. To this end, KdT leverages an extensive information network of cross-industry entrepreneurs, advisors, and investors to support its portfolio companies in achieving scientific commercialization.

Connecticut Innovations is the state of Connecticut’s strategic venture capital firm, with a well-established network of partners and professionals. Its primary mission is to provide funding and long-term support to growing innovative companies; to offer funding and strategic support to early-stage technology companies; and to provide financial support for collaborative innovation projects.

(Compiled by Jiang Ying)