Autobahn Therapeutics, a biotech firm focused on innovative treatments for neuropsychiatric and neuroimmunologic disorders, has closed an oversubscribed $100 million Series C financing round. The funding was led by Newpath Partners and included new investors Canaan Partners, Monograph Capital, and Insight Partners, alongside all existing investors such as ARCH Venture Partners, Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities, and others.
As part of this financing, Thomas Cahill, M.D., Ph.D., and Philip DeSouza, M.D., from Newpath Partners, and Uwe Schoenbeck, Ph.D., from Canaan Partners, as well as Bonnie van Wilgenburg, Ph.D., from Monograph Capital, have joined Autobahn’s Board of Directors.
The Series C funds will support the initiation of two Phase 2 clinical trials for Autobahn’s lead program, ABX-002. This thyroid hormone beta receptor (TRβ) agonist, which showed promising CNS target engagement in Phase 1 trials, will be tested as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder depression. These disorders affect millions in the U.S. alone and are in urgent need of new treatments.
Dr. Cahill highlighted the critical need for new depression therapies amidst rising rates of the disorder, expressing confidence in Autobahn’s ability to impact treatment paradigms through its brain-targeting platform.
Additionally, the funding will advance ABX-101, a next-generation, oral sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator, into Phase 1 trials. This drug aims to address neuroimmunologic and neuroinflammatory disorders with its unique CNS-penetrant properties.
Kevin Finney, Autobahn’s President and CEO, emphasized the potential of ABX-002 to offer breakthrough efficacy and safety in treating MDD and bipolar depression, while also expressing enthusiasm about ABX-101’s promising early data in neuroimmunology. Autobahn Therapeutics is dedicated to transforming brain health and improving patient outcomes in CNS disorders.
About Autobahn Therapeutics
Autobahn Therapeutics is a San Diego-based biotech company developing novel neuropsychiatric and neuroimmunologic therapies using its brain-targeting chemistry platform. The company’s pipeline includes ABX-002, a thyroid hormone receptor beta (TRβ) agonist aimed at treating MDD and bipolar disorder depression. For more information, visit www.autobahntx.com.
About ABX-002
ABX-002 is an oral TRβ agonist designed to enhance CNS benefits of thyroid hormone while minimizing peripheral side effects. It has shown promise in preclinical and early clinical studies for treating depression by modulating brain bioenergetics and addressing symptoms of atypical depression.
