# Augustine Therapeutics

> Augustine Therapeutics is a Belgian clinical-stage biotech spun out of VIB-KU Leuven that is building a next-generation class of selective HDAC6 inhibitors for chronic diseases. Using a proprietary non-hydroxamate, non-hydrazide chemotype, the company designs molecules that block HDAC6's harmful catalytic activity while sparing its beneficial functions - aiming to avoid the toxicity that stalled earlier inhibitors. Its lead candidate, AGT-100216, is the first selective HDAC6 inhibitor to enter the clinic for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, with a pipeline extending into neurodegenerative and cardio-metabolic indications.

- **Founded:** 2019
- **Headquarters:** Leuven, Belgium
- **Founders:** Ludo Van Den Bosch (Scientific Founder (VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research))
- **Team size:** ~24 employees
- **Products:** AGT-100216, 2nd-generation peripheral HDAC6 inhibitor, Brain-penetrant HDAC6 inhibitor
- **Notable:** Raised an oversubscribed EUR 77.7M / USD 84.8M Series A in March 2025, co-led by Novo Holdings and Jeito Capital with Eli Lilly participating., Dosed the first patient in a Phase I trial of AGT-100216 - the first selective HDAC6 inhibitor in the clinic for CMT - in May 2025., Developed a novel non-hydroxamate, non-hydrazide HDAC6 chemotype designed to avoid the off-target toxicity of earlier inhibitors.

## Products & services

- **AGT-100216** — Lead program: a first-in-class, peripherally-restricted selective HDAC6 inhibitor in a Phase I clinical trial for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. First patient dosed in May 2025.
- **2nd-generation peripheral HDAC6 inhibitor** — An orally bioavailable, peripherally-restricted HDAC6 inhibitor in advanced lead optimization, aimed at cardio-metabolic disorders.
- **Brain-penetrant HDAC6 inhibitor** — A central-acting, blood-brain-barrier-penetrant candidate in discovery for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS.

## Achievements

- Raised an oversubscribed EUR 77.7M / USD 84.8M Series A in March 2025, co-led by Novo Holdings and Jeito Capital with Eli Lilly participating.
- Dosed the first patient in a Phase I trial of AGT-100216 - the first selective HDAC6 inhibitor in the clinic for CMT - in May 2025.
- Developed a novel non-hydroxamate, non-hydrazide HDAC6 chemotype designed to avoid the off-target toxicity of earlier inhibitors.
- Built a three-program pipeline spanning neuromuscular, cardio-metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases from a single target.
- Established a Copenhagen-based subsidiary and appointed Rie Schultz Hansen, PhD as Chief Scientific Officer.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Selected to present a late-breaking poster at the American Diabetes Association's 86th Scientific Sessions, extending its HDAC6 story into cardio-metabolic disease.
- **2025-05** — Announced first patient dosed in the Phase I clinical trial of lead candidate AGT-100216 for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
- **2025-03** — Closed an oversubscribed EUR 77.7M / USD 84.8M Series A co-led by Novo Holdings and Jeito Capital.
- **2025-01** — Gerhard Koenig, PhD appointed CEO, having served as Executive Chairman since June 2024.

## Links

- Website: https://augustinetx.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/augustine-therapeutics

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/augustine-therapeutics
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-16