Augustine Therapeutics
PMV is one of the investors in Augustine Therapeutics, a new venture of the Flemish Institute of Biotechnology (VIB) and KU Leuven. The spin-off develops innovative therapies for patients suffering from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Augustine raised 4.2 million euros in seed capital from PMV, V-Bio Ventures, Advent France Biotechnology, Gemma Frisius Fonds and VIB.
C MT does not immediately ring a bell with most people. Yet it is one of the most common hereditary disorders of the peripheral nervous system. Worldwide, it affects 10 to 30 people in every 100,000. The disease was first described in 1886 by neurologists Jean-Marie Charcot, Pierre Marie and Howard Henry Tooth. Due to defects in the peripheral nervous system, the muscles receive less stimuli, causing them to become less activated. Current therapies for CMT do not cure the condition and are limited to treatments that only relieve symptoms.
New therapies
Thanks to Augustine Therapeutics, this may soon change. The new venture by VIB and KU Leuven originated from Ludo Van Den Bosch’s research, and from a collaboration between the laboratories of Joris de Wit and Bart De Strooper (both VIB-KU Leuven). The VIB Discovery Sciences team is in charge of the preclinical development of the new therapies. Director Jérôme Van Biervliet: “The discoveries made by VIB-KU Leuven scientists are the ideal starting point for Augustine Therapeutics’ pipeline. The VIB Discovery Sciences team has extensive industrial experience and has the required expertise for the early stages of drug development.”
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