Villigen-based ASTRA Therapeutics, which develops selective drugs targeting eukaryotic parasites by exploiting structural differences in tubulin, has raised €8.3 million (CHF 7.75 million) in a seed financing round led by MIG Capital.
- Founded in 2022 by Dr. Natacha Gaillard and Dr. Ashwani Sharma, ASTRA Therapeutics develops small-molecule drugs that target eukaryotic pathogens by exploiting structural differences in tubulin, a protein essential for cell division.
- The company’s platform identifies compounds that selectively bind to parasite-specific tubulin isoforms without affecting host proteins. This selectivity aims to reduce toxicity and improve efficacy.
- ASTRA is currently focused on drug-resistant parasitic diseases in animals, including heartworm and coccidiosis. Its lead compounds are in preclinical development.
“Our platform is designed to exploit structural differences between essential proteins in parasites and the host animals, enabling creation of new drugs that should be both effective and safe," claims Ashwani Sharma, PhD, founder and Co-CEO of ASTRA Therapeutics.
Details of the deal
- The seed round was co-led by MIG Capital, a German venture capital firm that invested CHF 3 million through MIG Fonds 17 and 18, and Digitalis Ventures, a US-based firm focused on health and life sciences.
"With renowned structural biologists Dr. Natacha Gaillard and Dr. Ashwani Sharma in the lead and strong support from a team of market and business developers experienced in drug discovery, licensing, and biotech financing, this is the right company to achieve success," Partner at MIG Capital, Andreas Kastenbauer, commented.
- Additional investors included Borealis Ventures, Kickfund, and Venture Kick, firms focused on early-stage innovation in life sciences and Swiss university spin-offs.
- ASTRA Therapeutics will utilize the seed funding to advance its lead programs toward preclinical milestones, further develop its proprietary ParaX platform, and expand its core scientific and commercial teams.
