Astra Therapeutics has raised CHF 7.75 million (~$9,7M) in a seed financing round to advance precision parasiticides for animal health. By combining deep scientific expertise with strong investor support, the company aims to set new standards in animal health innovation.
A Swiss biotechnology company developing precision drugs against eukaryotic pathogens, Astra Therapeutics AG has announced the closing of a CHF 7.75 million (~$9,7M) seed financing round. The funding will accelerate the company’s mission to transform parasitic disease treatment in animal health through the development of novel, host-sparing therapeutics.
The round was led by MIG Capital AG, a German venture capital firm, with a CHF 3 million investment through MIG Fonds 17 and 18. US-based Digitalis Ventures co-led the round with CHF 3 million, with additional support from Borealis Ventures, Kickfund, and Venture Kick.
Founded in 2022 by co-CEOs Dr. Natacha Gaillard and Dr. Ashwani Sharma, Astra Therapeutics highlights its cutting edge ParaX® platform as being based on over a decade of research by the founders into the structural differences in tubulin – a protein fundamental to cell division. This scientific foundation enables the company to design Parabulins®, a new class of drugs that selectively inhibit parasite-specific tubulin while preserving host cells.
Natacha Gaillard, PhD, Founder and Co-CEO of Astra Therapeutics, said: “The animal health market is facing an ever-increasing need for novel anti-parasite drugs to combat the growing threat of drug resistance, ensure the health and welfare of our pets, and maintain healthy and efficient food production.”
Ashwani Sharma, PhD, also Founder and Co-CEO of Astra Therapeutics, added: “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.”
The global parasiticide market is worth over USD 10 billion and is growing at a CAGR of 5.6%.1 At the same time, established products are facing patent expiry, while increasing resistance is causing an increasing need for new drugs – in some regions, up to 98% of heartworm cases are already resistant to standard therapies.
“We see tremendous commercial potential for new drugs that control worms including heartworm in dogs and cats, and coccidiosis in poultry and swine production,” expressed Andreas Kastenbauer, Partner at MIG Capital. “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.”
By combining deep scientific expertise with strong investor support, Astra Therapeutics aims to redefine precision in parasitic disease treatment and setting new standards in animal health innovation.
1Stonehaven Cozmix Group, Animal Health Industry: Reflections on the Past Decade and Visions for the Future Report 2025. (Published at AHNTI Conference London 2025) [see page 23]
