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n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m | J a n u a r y 2 0 2 1 | n e w h a v e n B I Z 9 STARTUPS, TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION G ermaphobes may shudder at the thought, but a Branford startup is betting its future on the trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi and mites that live peacefully on human skin. Known collectively as the microbiome, this universe of microscopic critters is part of an emerging field in scientific research, and recent studies suggest a healthy balance can protect the skin and promote a clear complexion. Azitra Inc., a growing biotech launched in 2014 by Dr. Azim Munivar and Travis Whitfill while they were still graduate students at Yale, has developed technology to harness some of the benevolent bugs for use in a variety of skin-care products and dermatological medicines. Call it probiotics for your skin. "ere are all kinds of conditions in the consumer space that can be addressed by the microbiome," ranging from body odor and dandruff to dry and eczema- prone skin, says Azitra CEO Richard Andrews, a biotech veteran who joined the company in 2017. "We see a pretty good future here helping develop and identify organisms that can help consumers with those kinds By Natalie Missakian of problems," he explains. e company, whose name comes from melding the first names of its co- founders, is coming off a big year in 2020. In April, it moved out of its incubator space at UConn's Technology Incubation Program in Farmington and into a new 12,000-square-foot lab and office space on Business Park Drive. Azitra's microbiome work also caught the attention of pharma and consumer health giant Bayer, which has partnered with the biotech to develop natural skin creams and lotions using Azitra's proprietary strain of the skin-friendly bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis, or SE. Bayer's investment arm kicked in $8 million toward Azitra's $17 million Series B funding round last fall, bringing the startup's lifetime venture capital fundraising to $34 million. But consumer products are only one focus area for Azitra. e biotech and its growing team of 17 employees are gearing up for a milestone year on the pharmaceutical side of the business in 2021, with plans to advance its first two dermatology drugs into human testing. By the end of January, the company plans to launch a clinical trial at Yale on a medicated ointment infused with a friendly bacteria that aims to treat cancer therapy-associated skin rashes. Skin damage from a certain type of cancer treatment known as an epidermal growth factor inhibitor can cause harmful bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus to flourish, leading to a rash across the face, neck and shoulders of cancer patients that is sometimes so severe that treatment is temporarily halted, Andrews says. Azitra hopes introducing its strain of SE to the skin can keep the bad bacteria in check. "By substituting a good, safe organism for this threatening organism, you prevent the inflammation, you prevent the itch and you prevent the rash," he explains. Building momentum Later in the year, Azitra will begin human testing on a second skin treatment targeting Netherton syndrome, a genetic disorder diagnosed in newborns and children. e condition causes the skin to peel off in layers, leaving behind red, tender skin on large areas of the face and body, Andrews explains. "It's really quite traumatic for these kids and it happens because they're missing an enzyme," he says. Azitra has genetically engineered a strain of bacteria to produce the skin enzyme that babies and children with the condition lack. e company also is continuing to build on its momentum with new R&D programs. Next on the agenda? Developing genetically-engineered skin bacteria that can prevent mosquito bites and reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. "It's really cool. You can use the microbiome to reduce the production of volatile organic compounds [on the skin] that attract mosquitoes," says Andrews, explaining how the bacteria can be modified to produce natural mosquito repellents. But that program is just getting started, he says. Stay tuned. n A r o u n d t h e R e g i o n A scientist working out of an Azitra lab. PHOTOS | COURTESY Buoyed by new funding, Bayer deal, biotech Azitra eyes 'milestone' year in 2021 Azitra CEO Richard Andrews recently moved his startup company from Farmington to Branford.

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