Autobahn Therapeutics Secures $100 Million Series C to Develop CNS Disorder Treatments

Autobahn Therapeutics, a biotechnology firm focused on treatments for neuropsychiatric and neuroimmunologic disorders, has successfully raised $100 million in a Series C funding round. This round was led by Newpath Partners and included participation from new investors such as Canaan Partners, Monograph Capital, and Insight Partners. Existing investors like ARCH Venture Partners, Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities, BVF Partners, Invus, Samsara BioCapital, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer Ventures, Section 32, Alexandria Venture Investments, and GT Healthcare Capital Partners also contributed.

As part of this financing, Thomas Cahill, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and Managing Partner, and Philip DeSouza, M.D., Venture Partner, both from Newpath Partners, have joined Autobahn’s Board of Directors. They will be accompanied by Uwe Schoenbeck, Ph.D., a Venture Partner at Canaan Partners, and Bonnie van Wilgenburg, Ph.D., Principal at Monograph Capital.

The funds raised will be used to advance two Phase 2 clinical trials for Autobahn’s lead program, ABX-002. ABX-002 is a selective thyroid hormone beta receptor (TRβ) agonist that was well-tolerated and showed central nervous system (CNS) target engagement in Phase 1 trials. These Phase 2 trials, set to begin in late 2024, aim to provide biological and clinical proof-of-concept for ABX-002 as an adjunctive treatment for individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder depression. MDD and bipolar disorder affect over 20 million and 7 million people in the United States, respectively, and are major public health concerns.

Dr. Cahill emphasized the urgency of developing new treatments for depression, a condition that has seen rising rates in recent years. He believes that Autobahn’s brain-targeting chemistry platform holds promise for significantly improving the treatment of these debilitating disorders. The early clinical data for ABX-002 are promising, and the company is committed to advancing this and other therapeutic candidates through clinical trials.

In addition to progressing ABX-002, Autobahn will move forward with ABX-101, a next-generation oral sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator aimed at treating neuroimmunologic and neuroinflammatory disorders. ABX-101 has shown excellent CNS penetration and promising effects in preclinical studies. This drug is designed to provide novel pharmacology across multiple brain cell types associated with inflammatory diseases. Early data indicate that ABX-101 offers effective CNS exposure and strong centrally mediated treatment effects, along with the ability to enhance peripheral immunomodulatory benefits.

Kevin Finney, Autobahn’s President and CEO, expressed excitement about the company’s innovative approach to CNS diseases. He highlighted the potential of ABX-002 to serve as a first-in-class brain-targeted thyromimetic, building on the clinical efficacy of T3 in boosting depression treatments. Early clinical studies have shown both improved efficacy and safety with ABX-002. Finney is optimistic about the drug’s potential to address various CNS disorders that current treatments fail to adequately serve, including MDD and bipolar depression. He also noted the encouraging early data on ABX-101, which may have disease-modifying effects in neuroimmunologic conditions.

Autobahn Therapeutics is dedicated to restoring brain health and improving the lives of individuals affected by CNS disorders. With robust financial support, innovative programs, and advanced technologies, the company is well-equipped to realize this vision.