Augustine Therapeutics is a Belgian biotech company founded in 2019 and a spin-off of VIB-KU Leuven. The company is developing a wide portfolio of best-in-class, novel, potent and subtype-selective small-molecule inhibitors of the enzyme HDAC6 (Histone DeACetylase 6) for the treatment of neurodegenerative and cardiometabolic diseases.

The inhibition of HDAC6 plays a crucial role in axonal protection and regeneration by controlling internal axonal transport. Augustine’s novel and chemically distinct generation of HDAC6 inhibitors, therefore, presents an intriguing approach for selectively reversing and inhibiting the pathophysiological changes associated with neuromuscular diseases such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT), peripheral induced by chemotherapies (CIPN), as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Additionally, recent developments outside neurology suggest a relevant role for HDAC6 inhibition in cardiovascular indications and obesity, expanding the potential applications of Augustine’s portfolio.

The current focus of the company is to advance its lead program into clinical development and continue with the pre-clinical development of the rest of its programs.