Rostra Therapeutics

What Rostra Therapeutics does

Rostra Therapeutics is a Glasgow-based, Scotland-incorporated biopharmaceutical company founded in 2022 as a spinout from the University of Strathclyde. The company develops the proprietary second-generation Strathclyde Minor Groove Binder (S-MGB) platform, originally conceived in 2003 under Professor Colin Suckling. S-MGBs are small molecules that bind to multiple sites on pathogen DNA and RNA, disrupting fundamental cellular functions across fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The multiple modes of action enable rapid pathogen killing and confer resilience to antimicrobial resistance, which is positioned as the platform's central differentiator against existing antifungal and antibacterial classes.

Rostra's lead focus is invasive fungal disease — a market the company frames as causing over 2.55 million deaths annually — with active programs also targeting drug-resistant bacteria (MRSA, XDR-TB), single-stranded RNA viruses (SARS-CoV-2, HCV), and parasites (malaria, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis). Additional indications include fungal lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients (via the CF AMR Syndicate partnership) and endemic fungal infections in low-income regions (via the FAILSAFE program with Indian partners). Development is currently pre-IND through Phase I, and the company pursues accelerated regulatory routes and parallel development programs rather than a single linear pathway.

The company is pre-revenue and funded entirely by non-dilutive grants (£80,000 Scottish EDGE; share of £3 million CF AMR Syndicate CDP; FAILSAFE funding) with no disclosed equity round. The core team of two senior scientists and two senior commercial leaders is supported by a Scientific Advisory Board (including Nobel Laureate Professor Rich Roberts) and a virtual expert network. The CEO, David Findlay, was formerly Global Commercial Lead for anti-infectives at GSK; the Non-Executive Chair, Stephane Mery, is a former Beringea partner and INSEAD MBA with biotech fund-management experience. Rostra's go-to-market model is licensing and partnership-based: products will be developed to clinical proof-of-concept and then partnered or out-licensed to larger pharmaceutical companies for global distribution.

Name

Rostra Therapeutics

Legal name

Rostra Therapeutics Ltd

Website

https://rostratx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rostra Therapeutics is a Glasgow-based biopharmaceutical spinout from the University of Strathclyde developing the proprietary S-MGB platform of DNA/RNA-binding anti-infective molecules against drug-resistant fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites, with lead focus on invasive fungal disease.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Glasgow

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Drug Development and Licensing: Pre-revenue biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel anti-infective medicines through the S-MGB platform. Revenue expected through licensing agreements, partnerships, or eventual product commercialization after clinical development.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rostra Therapeutics develops novel anti-infective medicines using its proprietary second-generation Strathclyde Minor Groove Binders (S-MGBs) platform, which produces molecules that bind to multiple sites on pathogen DNA and RNA to disrupt cellular function. The platform targets fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites, with the initial clinical development program focused on invasive fungal infections, advancing candidates through lead optimisation to pre-IND and Phase I stages.

Product overview

Rostra Therapeutics is a Glasgow-based biopharmaceutical company developing the proprietary Strathclyde Minor Groove Binders (S-MGB) platform technology originating from the University of Strathclyde. The platform enables the development of anti-infective drug candidates targeting fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites. The company's lead development programs focus on invasive fungal infections, with initial clinical development targeting pre-IND and Phase I stages for the treatment of serious fungal diseases. The company is also advancing programs for cystic fibrosis-related lung infections through the CF AMR Syndicate collaboration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Strathclyde Minor Groove Binders (S-MGB) Platform Proprietary second-generation DNA/RNA minor groove binder technology platform that produces molecules capable of killing bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses by binding to multiple sites on pathogen DNA and RNA. The multiple modes of action enable rapid pathogen killing and provide resilience to antimicrobial resistance development. Platform is licensed from the University of Strathclyde and being developed for clinical use.
• S-MGB Anti-Fungal Drug Candidates Lead development programme focused on creating S-MGB-derived medicines for serious invasive fungal infections, including drug-resistant pathogens such as Candida auris (CDC 'Urgent' threat), Candida glabrata, and Cryptococcus neoformans. Targeted at immunocompromised patients with life-threatening fungal diseases.
• S-MGB Cystic Fibrosis Fungal Lung Infection Programme Drug development programme under the CF AMR Syndicate Collaborative Discovery Programme to identify and develop S-MGB compounds suitable for treating fungal lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients, including those resistant to existing antifungal drugs. Targeted at the over 162,000 people globally affected by cystic fibrosis.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2.55 million deaths annually from invasive fungal diseases - representing significant unmet clinical need
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Foundation for Neglected Disease Research (FNDR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 November 2025Non-profit biotech organisation dedicated to discovering and developing drugs, diagnostics, and devices for infectious diseases that disproportionately affect underserved populations. Partnered with Rostra on FAILSAFE project.
• Chemveda Life SciencescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 19 November 2025Contract Research, Development & Manufacturing Organisation based in Hyderabad, India. Partnered with Rostra on FAILSAFE project for developing novel antifungal medicines.
• Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Laboratory (TDML)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 November 2025Established in 1986, part of S.P. Mandali's Institute for Advanced Training and Research in Interdisciplinary Sciences. Partnered with Rostra on FAILSAFE project.
• CF AMR Syndicate (Cystic Fibrosis Antimicrobial Resistance Syndicate)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2024Cross-sector initiative jointly managed by Medicines Discovery Catapult, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, and LifeArc. The £3 million Collaborative Discovery Programme (CDP) brings together experts in CF and AMR to accelerate new treatments. Rostra is developing compounds to treat fungal lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis, including those resistant to other antifungal drugs.
• Medicines Discovery CatapultcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2024Joint manager of the CF AMR Syndicate's £3 million Collaborative Discovery Programme. Supports awardees through early development phases to generate essential data packages.
• Cystic Fibrosis TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2024Joint manager of the CF AMR Syndicate's £3 million Collaborative Discovery Programme. Provides insights from people living with CF to guide research direction.
• LifeArccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2024Joint manager of the CF AMR Syndicate's £3 million Collaborative Discovery Programme. Funding research through the CF AMR Syndicate to catalyze scientific progress.
• NIH/NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 December 2021University of Strathclyde signed preclinical services agreement with NIH/NIAID. Earlier work done with NIH as part of NIAID's pre-clinical services development programme. Building on this foundation, Rostra is now continuing development of S-MGBs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• F2G Ltd: UK-based clinical-stage antifungal developer ( olorofim) targeting invasive fungal infections including azole-resistant Aspergillus. Directly comparable specialty anti-infectives biotech with similar AMR-resistant positioning to Rostra.
• Scynexis: US antifungal developer of ibrexafungerp (Brexafemme), approved for vulvovaginal candidiasis and in development for invasive fungal infections. Closest direct specialty antifungal peer to Rostra's lead programme.
• Cidara Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing antifungal and antiviral drug conjugates, including rezafungin (approved as Rezzayo). Comparable as a focused anti-infectives developer with antifungal assets targeting resistant pathogens.
• Amplyx Pharmaceuticals: Antifungal developer (acquired by Pfizer in 2021) that advanced fosmanogepix for invasive fungal infections including Candida auris. Highly comparable development-stage antifungal peer with overlapping target pathogens.
• Basilea Pharmaceutica: Swiss-listed anti-infectives company commercialising isavuconazole (Cresemba) and ceftobiprole. Closest publicly listed European antifungal commercial peer; comparable therapeutic focus in invasive fungal disease.
• Mycovia Pharmaceuticals: Developer of oteseconazole (Vivjoa) for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Specialty antifungal biotech comparable to Rostra's positioning against resistant fungal infections.
• Melinta Therapeutics: US anti-infectives company with a portfolio of antibiotics including meropenem/vaborbactam. Comparable as a focused anti-infectives commercial-stage business overlapping with Rostra's antibacterial ambitions.
• Paratek Pharmaceuticals: Commercial-stage anti-infectives company (Nuzyra/omadacycline) focused on antibiotic resistance. Specialty anti-infectives peer with AMR-focused commercial model aligned to Rostra's value proposition.

Broad incumbents

• Pfizer: Global pharmaceutical incumbent with a leading antifungal portfolio (echinocandins, fluconazole) and active AMR investment (e.g., Amplyx acquisition). Sets the competitive baseline for any successful Rostra asset in the antifungal space.
• GSK: Global anti-infectives incumbent and former employer of Rostra's CEO. Comparable as the dominant player in anti-infectives against which Rostra's commercial strategy will be benchmarked.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rostratx

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rostra Therapeutics