Startups
Augustine Therapeutics
Leuven, Belgium · Copenhagen, Denmark
Augustine Therapeutics NV is a Belgian biotechnology company founded in 2019 as a VIB and KU Leuven spin-off, based in Leuven with a Copenhagen subsidiary announced in 2025. It develops investigational small-molecule inhibitors of cytosolic histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) for neuromuscular, neurodegenerative and cardiometabolic diseases. Its scientific foundation includes Ludo Van Den Bosch’s research in axonal transport, peripheral neuropathies and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. The pipeline includes peripheral-restricted and brain-penetrant approaches, with potential CNS applications including ALS. These programmes do not establish therapeutic efficacy or regulatory approval. In May 2025, Augustine reported first dosing of AGT-100216 in a Phase I healthy-volunteer study. Its current website uses AGT-100XXX for an IND-enabling lead programme and lists additional discovery and lead-optimization programmes; dated trial announcements are therefore distinguished from present pipeline status. Gerhard Koenig has been CEO since January 2025. Published executives, directors, external scientific advisers and dated observer appointments are qualified separately. Financing includes a EUR 4.2 million seed in December 2019 and a June 2024 first Series A closing later restated to EUR 17.5 million. The March 2025 EUR 77.7 million final Series A total includes that earlier closing; its incremental cash allocation is undisclosed. Research grants and research support are recorded separately from equity, and award values do not establish payment dates.
Team
 Andy HuHead of Business Development (current biography); Chief Business Officer (appointed April2025) |
 Annette ClancyBoard Observer (announced March2025; current roster status unverified) |
 Bart De TaeyeBoard Member |
 Carl BjartmarChief Medical Officer (appointed September2024; named2025; absent current website roster) |
 Clara CampàsBoard Member |
 Duc TranChief Development Officer |
 Emmanuelle CoutanceauBoard Member |
Frederik RomboutsVice President, Head of Drug Discovery (company2025 post; absent current website roster) |
 Gerhard KoenigChief Executive Officer · Board Member |
 Isabel Jiménez BernalBoard Observer (current Asabys biography; appointed June2024) |
 Jérôme Van BiervlietInterim Management (2019 company launch; historical) |
 Ludo Van Den BoschScientific Founder · Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board (external academic) |
 Marie SchroederBoard Observer (announced March2025; current roster status unverified) |
 Mehdi AinoucheBoard Member |
 Pascale WitzBoard Chair |
 Rie Schultz HansenChief Scientific Officer |
Sylvain CelanireFormer Chief Executive Officer (published2021–2024; succeeded January2025) |
 Virginie CartageChief Financial Officer |
 Ward CapoenInterim Management (2019 company launch; historical) |