Ducentis BioTherapeutics

Ducentis BioTherapeutics operated as a preclinical-stage biotechnology company with a focus on creating new treatments for inflammation and autoimmune diseases. The company was established in 2015 by Dr. Philip Huxley, Professor David Blackbourn, and Dr. Rebecca Ashfield. The founders, including CEO Dr. Philip Huxley and CSO Dr. Rebecca Ashfield, brought experience from institutions like the Jenner Institute at the University of Oxford. Their work was built upon the research of Professor David Blackbourn at the Universities of Glasgow and Birmingham into the CD200 pathway.

The company's scientific foundation is centered on the CD200/CD200R axis, a pathway that plays a role in restoring the body's immune balance. Ducentis' primary business was the development of therapies that could modulate this pathway. The objective was to create molecules that could activate the CD200 receptor, which sends a deactivating signal to overactive immune cells in both the innate and adaptive immune systems. This approach of checkpoint agonism is designed to suppress unwanted immune responses and restore homeostasis. The company's lead product candidate, DS-234, is a fusion protein developed to be a highly selective and potent agonist of the CD200R. This asset was being developed primarily for atopic dermatitis, a market with significant unmet needs.

Ducentis' business model was typical for a preclinical biotech firm, focusing on research and development with the goal of advancing its assets through clinical trials or achieving a strategic exit. The company successfully raised a total of $2.29 million through five seed funding rounds from investors including Oxford Technology and LifeArc. A significant milestone was the acquisition of Ducentis by Arcutis Biotherapeutics in September 2022. The deal included an upfront payment of approximately $16 million in cash and $14 million in Arcutis stock, with the potential for future payments based on development and commercial success, valuing the total deal at up to $400 million. Following the acquisition, Ducentis' Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Rebecca Ashfield, was retained as a consultant by Arcutis to ensure a smooth transition of the ongoing work.

Keywords: Ducentis BioTherapeutics, preclinical biotechnology, autoimmune diseases, inflammation, CD200R agonist, immune homeostasis, checkpoint agonism, DS-234, atopic dermatitis, fusion protein, Arcutis Biotherapeutics acquisition, immuno-dermatology, life sciences, Dr. Philip Huxley, Dr. Rebecca Ashfield, LifeArc, Oxford Technology, immune modulation, therapeutic development, biopharmaceutical