PHIOGEN is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering a next-generation phage platform to treat and prevent drug-resistant and recurrent bacterial infections.
PHIOGEN is a biotechnology company developing next-generation bacteriophage therapeutics to combat the global crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Drug-resistant infections are among the leading causes of death worldwide, with limited treatment options and high recurrence rates. Current antibiotics often fail to prevent reinfection, leaving millions vulnerable to chronic disease.
PHIOGEN’s platform identifies and optimizes naturally occurring bacteriophages that kill pathogenic bacteria while stimulating the immune system for long-term protection. This dual-action mechanism represents a new paradigm: one medicine that both treats and prevents bacterial disease.
Lead program PHI-UI-01 targets recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) caused by drug-resistant E. coli, affecting over 150 million women annually. Second program PHI-BI-01 addresses bloodstream infections and sepsis, where mortality remains high.
Supported by FDA-approved phage precedents, established manufacturing, and collaborations with Baylor College of Medicine and CARB-X, PHIOGEN is positioned to deliver a first-in-class, durable solution—reducing antibiotic dependence and redefining infectious disease care.
Leadership & Expertise
PHIOGEN’s team combines deep expertise in bacteriophage biology, translational medicine, and infectious disease drug development.
- Dr. Anthony Maresso – Founding Scientist
Global leader in phage therapeutics and microbial pathogenesis at Baylor College of Medicine. - Amanda Burkardt – CEO
Proven track record in biotech leadership, strategic partnerships, fundraising, and advancing early-stage science to clinical development. - Mayukh Das – Director of Scientific Operations
Oversees preclinical research, assay development, and progression toward IND readiness.
Supported by advisors from Baylor College of Medicine, CARB-X, and strategic partners in immunology, manufacturing, and regulatory strategy, the team is uniquely positioned to deliver the first dual-action therapeutic that eliminates drug-resistant infections and prevents recurrence.
PHIOGEN’s go-to-market strategy centers on clinical validation followed by strategic partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies to accelerate global commercialization.
Key Focus Areas
- Initial Market Entry
Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs)—a $6B+ market with growing resistance and limited innovation. Lead candidate PHI-UI-01 offers a durable alternative to chronic antibiotics. - Partnership Strategy
Target collaborations, co-development, or acquisition by leaders such as GSK, Eli Lilly, or Pfizer with expertise in infectious disease, immunology, and women’s health. - Public-Private Support
Engaging CARB-X and DOD for non-dilutive funding and de-risking.
Long-term vision: Integrate the phage platform into broader anti-infective portfolios for combination therapies, prevention strategies, and companion diagnostics—redefining infectious disease management.
PHIOGEN will generate revenue through product sales, strategic partnerships, and licensing agreements.
Revenue Streams
- Near-Term
Non-dilutive grants and milestone-based collaborations (e.g., CARB-X, AMR Action Fund). - Long-Term
Sales of dual-action therapeutics with premium pricing due to treatment-and-prevention value proposition; royalties from co-development and licensing deals with pharmaceutical partners.
Platform monetization will create recurring royalty-based revenue as the technology integrates into larger anti-infective portfolios.
Investment Opportunity
PHIOGEN is seeking $20 million in Series A financing to advance lead program PHI-UI-01 through IND-enabling studies and a first-in-human clinical trial for recurrent urinary tract infections caused by drug-resistant E. coli.
Funding will also accelerate PHI-BI-01 (bloodstream infections/sepsis), expand manufacturing to GMP readiness, and support operational scale-up.
Use of Proceeds
| Allocation | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| PHI-UI-01 Advancement | $12M | IND-enabling studies, regulatory submission, and Phase 1B trial evaluating safety, efficacy, and prevention of reinfection. |
| PHI-BI-01 & Platform | $5M | Preclinical validation and optimization for additional bacterial targets. |
| Operational Scale-Up | $3M | Team growth, new Helix Park facility, and manufacturing partnerships. |
In parallel, PHIOGEN seeks strategic partnerships with global pharmaceutical companies (e.g., GSK, Eli Lilly, Pfizer) for co-development, licensing, or acquisition.
PHIOGEN has advanced its dual-action phage platform from academic discovery to translational readiness.
Proprietary tools enable selection, evolution, and characterization of phages with both therapeutic and immunomodulatory activity. Robust efficacy demonstrated in multiple E. coli models, including bacterial clearance and durable protection against reinfection; used in several emergency cases.
Lead program PHI-UI-01: Completed preclinical safety, impurity, and stability testing; master files accepted by FDA. Potency assays and IND-enabling studies underway for first-in-human trial.
PHI-BI-01: Advancing through in vivo validation in bloodstream infection models.
Manufacturing established under GMP-like conditions with scalable processes. Supported by CARB-X funding and Baylor College of Medicine collaboration, PHIOGEN is poised for clinical transition.
PHIOGEN has raised seed funding from investors and $1.8 million in non-dilutive grants.
