PHIOGEN is a pre-clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class immunizing therapeutics designed to both treat drug-resistant infections and induce durable immune protection against recurrence, with a focus on chronic conditions.
PHIOGEN is a pre-clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class immunizing therapeutics designed to both treat drug-resistant infections and induce durable immune protection against recurrence, with a focus on chronic conditions.
This treat-and-prevent modality represents a fundamentally new approach to historically high-burden, undruggable conditions, positioning PHIOGEN at the intersection of immunology and infectious disease to shift care from repeated treatment toward durable bacterial eradication. Spun out of Baylor College of Medicine, PHIOGEN’s platform combines precision biologic selection with human-relevant disease models to address chronic and hard-to-treating bacterial infections, beginning with recurrent urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections.
The company, having raised approximately $1.5M in seed financing and secured a $1.1M non-dilutive CARB-X award, is preparing for a Series A to advance its lead dual-action product to a Phase 1b clinical trial.
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 – Chief Operations Officer
Oversees research operations, 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, NIH). - 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 $15 million in Series A financing to advance lead program PHI-UI-01 through IND-enabling studies and a Phase 1b 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.
