Akari Therapeutics

Akari Therapeutics plc is a biotechnology company that has transitioned its focus to oncology, specifically developing next-generation bi-functional antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer treatment. This strategic shift followed a merger with Peak Bio, Inc., which was completed in November 2024. The merger expanded Akari's pipeline to include an innovative ADC discovery platform, novel payloads, and linker technologies.

The company was originally founded as Celsus Therapeutics in 2004 and focused on autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. A key figure in its history is Dr. Ray Prudo, who founded Volution Immuno Pharmaceuticals in 2008 and joined Akari in September 2015 when Volution merged with Celsus. Over the years, the company has undergone several leadership changes. In March 2022, Rachelle Jacques was appointed President and CEO, succeeding Clive Richardson. Jacques stepped down in May 2024, and Samir Patel, a board member since December 2023, took over as interim CEO. Following the Peak Bio merger, Dr. Hoyoung Huh, the founder and Chairman of Peak Bio, became the Chairman of Akari's board. In April 2025, Abizer Gaslightwala, a seasoned biotechnology executive with over 25 years of experience, was appointed the new President and CEO.

Akari's lead ADC candidate is AKTX-101, which targets the TROP2 receptor found on various solid tumors. It delivers a proprietary, first-in-class payload called PH1, a spliceosome modulator designed to disrupt RNA splicing in cancer cells. This mechanism aims to induce tumor-specific cell death and generate an immune response, potentially overcoming limitations of existing ADCs like off-target toxicity and resistance. Before its pivot to oncology, Akari's lead asset was nomacopan, a bispecific inhibitor of complement C5 and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, which had reached Phase 3 trials for conditions like pediatric HSCT-TMA. The company is also developing a long-acting version, PAS-nomacopan, for geographic atrophy (GA).

As a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq (AKTX), Akari's business model is centered on the research and development of its therapeutic candidates. Its revenue generation will depend on the successful clinical development, regulatory approval, and subsequent commercialization or partnership of its pipeline assets. The company has secured financing through private placements and has an equity line of credit to fund its operations and development milestones.

Keywords: antibody-drug conjugates, oncology, bi-functional payloads, spliceosome modulator, AKTX-101, TROP2 receptor, cancer therapy, PH1 payload, nomacopan, geographic atrophy, complement inhibitor, leukotriene B4 inhibitor, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, clinical trials, Celsus Therapeutics, Peak Bio, Volution Immuno Pharmaceuticals, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases