Precision dermatology powered by microbial and genetic engineering

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Our Approach

Azitra is a pioneer in genetically engineered bacteria for therapeutic use in dermatology. Our goal is to leverage our platforms and internal microbial library of bacterial strains to create new therapeutics. These treatments are either engineered living organisms or engineered proteins or peptides to treat skin diseases.

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on precision dermatology, using engineered proteins and live biotherapeutic products. We have built a proprietary platform that includes a microbial library comprised of approximately 1,500 unique bacterial strains that can be screened for unique therapeutic characteristics. The platform is augmented by an artificial intelligence and machine learning technology that analyzes, predicts, and helps screen our library of strains for drug like molecules. The platform also utilizes a licensed genetic engineering technology, which can enable the transformation of previously genetically intractable strains.

Our initial focus is on the development of genetically engineered strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, or S. epidermidis, which we consider to be an optimal therapeutic candidate species for engineering of dermatologic therapies. The particular species demonstrates a number of well-described properties in the skin, including the ability to instigate reparative, local immune responses. We have identified among our microbial library over 60 distinct bacterial species that we believe are capable of being engineered to create living organisms or engineered proteins with significant therapeutic effect.

Driven Leadership

Our Leadership Team

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Francisco Salva

President and CEO

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Travis Whitfill, MPH MPhil PhD(c)

Cofounder and Chief Operating Officer

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Norman Staskey

Chief Financial Officer

Board of Directors

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Francisco Salva

President and CEO

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Travis Whitfill, MPH MPhil PhD(c)

Cofounder and Chief Operating Officer

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Barbara Ryan

Senior Advisor, EY

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John R. Schroer

Chief Financial Officer, Alumis

Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board

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Julia Oh, PhD

Assistant Professor at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine

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Leonard Milstone, MD

Professor Emeritus of Dermatology at Yale Medical School

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Alain Hovnanian, MD, PhD

Director of Genetics at Necker hospital, Professor of Dermatology, University of Paris

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Edel O’Toole

Professor of Molecular Dermatology, Queen Mary University of London

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Amy Paller, MD, MSci

Walter J. Hamlin Professor and Chair, Dermatology, Northwestern University

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