Akston Biosciences

Akston Biosciences Corporation is a developer of new classes of biologic therapeutics based in Beverly, Massachusetts. The company leverages its proprietary Ambifect Fc-fusion protein platform to develop and manufacture innovative biologics, including vaccines, ultra-long-acting insulins, and autoimmune disease therapies. Akston's Ambifect platform enables the creation of protein subunit vaccines designed to induce a Th1/Th2 mixed immune response against specific protein targets.

One of Akston's lead candidates is AKS-452, a SARS-CoV-2 protein subunit vaccine targeting the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the coronavirus spike protein. AKS-452, branded as AmbiVax-C, is a two-dose vaccine that has demonstrated robust antibody neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Delta and Omicron. Unlike mRNA or viral vector-based vaccines, AKS-452 does not require cold-chain infrastructure, making it suitable for low- and middle-income countries. Akston has partnered with Strides Group for the manufacture and commercialization of AmbiVax-C in over 130 countries across Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

In the animal health space, Akston's pipeline includes AKS-321d and AKS-425c, once-a-week insulin treatments for canine and feline diabetes licensed to Dechra Pharmaceuticals. The company also has candidates targeting chronic pain (AKS-544d) and canine cancer (AKS-197d) in development. Akston operates a cGMP biologics manufacturing facility in Beverly, enabling vertically integrated capabilities from concept to commercial production.

In August 2023, Akston announced its decision to focus solely on the animal health sector, spinning off its infectious disease vaccine and human Type one Diabetes prevention programs into separate subsidiaries, Vakston, Inc. and Diamune Therapeutics, Inc.