LONDON and BEVERLY, Mass. (February 16, 2025) – Akston, the biotech built for pets, has been awarded the Best Start-Up of 2024 by S&P Global Animal Health at the Animal Health, Nutrition, and Technology Innovation Europe 2025 conference in London. The award was presented by Joseph Harvey, Editor, S&P Global Animal Health, and accepted by Akston CEO, Todd Zion.
“It is an honor for Akston to receive the Best Start-Up Award from such a knowledgeable panel of judges in the Animal Health industry,” said Zion. “This award underscores our confidence in the approach we are taking to reimagine the future of pet health – where innovative, long-lasting targeted protein treatments bring less stress, better outcomes, and stronger bonds between pets and their families.”
After fully pivoting its focus from human health to animal health in 2022, the company aims to bring innovative protein therapeutics through the riskiest development phases faster, more cost-effectively, and with a higher likelihood of success with their proven common Ambifect® Fc-fusion protein platform. It enables pets to make their own antibodies, allowing a low dose to induce a powerful and sustained immune response. Unique to start-ups, the company also owns and operates a state-of-the-art cGMP biologics factory in Beverly, Mass., allowing for full control from drug discovery to commercial-scale production.
In 2024, Akston made several key moves that led to the Best Start-Up recognition, including:
- Major industry partnerships – Akston announced a strategic partnership with Purdue University to co-develop an anti-cPD-L1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) immunotherapy to treat cancer in dogs.
- Pipeline expansion – The company announced a strategic partnership with human biotech Energesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., to treat obesity in companion animals through brown adipose tissue recruitment therapy to enhance their natural ability to burn more calories and increase energy use.
- Strategic Transaction – Akston announced Dechra’s purchase of all of Akston’s interests in the companies’ dog and cat long-acting insulin programs.
- Industry expertise – In June 2024, Akston strengthened its leadership by appointing Linda Rhodes, VMD, Ph.D., to its Board of Directors. Dr. Rhodes, a respected industry leader with three decades of experience in the Animal Health industry, brings deep scientific and business expertise to guide Akston’s continued growth.
With its fully owned development infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and disruptive biotech solutions, Akston is aiming to redefine the landscape of pet health.
About Akston
Akston is a biotech company built for pets. Using our proprietary Ambifect® Fc-fusion protein platform, we develop immuno-enhancing and targeted protein treatments that aim to reduce treatment frequency while enhancing efficacy. Backed by a vertically integrated structure and state-of-the-art GMP biologics facility, we accelerate development from discovery to commercial manufacturing – ensuring innovation reaches veterinarians and the pets we love faster and more efficiently. Learn more at www.akstonbio.com.
Contact for Akston Biosciences:
Julie Lawless
Lawless Strategic Communications
Julie.lawless@lawlesscomms.com
+1 615-585-5861