Common questions about Amphoraxe and antimicrobial peptide technology
Amphoraxe Life Sciences Inc. is a Vancouver-based biotechnology company developing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Founded in 2019, the company emerged from academic research into naturally occurring host defense peptides and is focused on translating those discoveries into commercial applications for animal and human health.
Antimicrobial peptides are short host defense proteins produced naturally by virtually all living organisms as part of their innate immune systems. They have evolved over millions of years to protect against bacterial, viral, and fungal threats. AMPs work by disrupting pathogen cell membranes, acting faster than conventional small-molecule antibiotics and through a fundamentally different mechanism of action.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most pressing global health threats. Drug-resistant infections are projected to cause 10 million deaths per year by 2050 if left unaddressed. The antibiotic development pipeline has largely stalled — only five new antibiotic classes have been approved since 2000, all targeting narrow human clinical indications. None address the growing resistance crisis in agriculture, where antibiotic restrictions are creating urgent demand for effective alternatives. AMPs represent a fundamentally different approach to fighting infection, offering a path forward where conventional antibiotics are failing.
AMPs differ from conventional antibiotics in three important ways. First, they act faster — eliminating pathogens before they can adapt. Second, they target pathogens without harming host cells, which reduces side effects and cellular damage. Third, their membrane-disrupting mechanism makes it significantly harder for bacteria to develop resistance, offering a more sustainable long-term solution to infectious disease.
Our discovery pipeline combines computational genomics with machine learning. We analyze large genomic datasets to identify naturally occurring peptide sequences with antimicrobial potential, then use machine learning models to optimize those candidates for improved efficacy, safety, and stability. Promising candidates advance through laboratory testing and controlled animal trials before any commercial development.
AMPs do not induce resistance to the same degree as conventional antibiotics. Because AMPs disrupt pathogen cell membranes through physical interaction rather than targeting a specific molecular pathway, bacteria cannot easily evolve resistance through single-point mutations. This is a key advantage of the AMP approach and one of the reasons these molecules have remained effective as natural immune defenses for hundreds of millions of years.
Our lead candidates are currently in controlled animal trials at commercial farms. We are actively generating efficacy and safety data to support future regulatory submissions and are advancing toward commercialization in poultry. Follow our News page for the latest milestones.
Yes. Our work is grounded in peer-reviewed research published in leading scientific journals including BMC Genomics, Nature Communications, Protein Science, and Scientific Reports. A full list of publications from our team is available on our Publications page.
Our livestock program focuses on poultry, where AMPs can help reduce reliance on conventional antibiotics while maintaining bird health and food safety. Our peptides have demonstrated efficacy against key poultry pathogens in laboratory testing, and we are advancing these candidates through controlled pen trials. AMPs are broken down naturally in the animal’s body and do not persist in meat, eggs, or agricultural waste. Learn more on our Livestock Solutions page.
We are developing AMP-based solutions for companion animal health, with an initial focus on treating common infections such as canine ear infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Our peptides have shown promising efficacy against relevant pathogens in laboratory testing. Visit our Pet Care page for more details.
Human therapeutics is an area of future exploration for Amphoraxe. The same AMP technology that shows promise in veterinary applications has potential to address drug-resistant bacterial infections in humans, which remain a growing concern worldwide. Our current focus is on advancing our veterinary programs, which will generate foundational safety and efficacy data that informs future human health applications. Learn more on our Human Therapeutics page.
Our products are currently in the research and development phase, with lead candidates in controlled animal trials at commercial farms. We are working toward regulatory approval and commercialization, with our initial focus on the Canadian poultry market. We are committed to a rigorous development process that prioritizes safety, efficacy, and scientific integrity. Follow our News page for the latest milestones.
AMPs selectively target pathogen cell membranes while leaving host animal cells unharmed. This selectivity is a natural property of these peptides, which have evolved as part of the innate immune system across virtually all species. Our development program includes rigorous safety testing at every stage, and our controlled animal trials are designed to confirm both efficacy and safety before any product reaches the market.
No. AMPs are naturally broken down by enzymes in the animal’s body and microbiome. Unlike some conventional antibiotics, they do not persist in meat, eggs, or agricultural waste. This is an important advantage for food safety and environmental sustainability.
Conventional antibiotics used in agriculture can persist in the environment — in soil, water, and agricultural runoff — contributing to the spread of antimicrobial resistance beyond the farm. AMPs are biodegradable proteins that break down naturally, reducing the risk of environmental accumulation and resistance transmission. This makes them a more sustainable approach to managing infectious disease in food production systems.
We welcome inquiries from potential partners in industry, agriculture, veterinary medicine, and research. Whether you are interested in research collaboration, licensing, or investment, please reach out through our Contact page and a member of our team will follow up.
All of our peer-reviewed publications are listed on our Publications page, with links to the full text of each paper. Our research has been published in journals including BMC Genomics, Nature Communications, Protein Science, and Scientific Reports.
Amphoraxe Life Sciences is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. For contact details including our address and phone number, please visit our Contact page.
We would be happy to hear from you. Reach out to our team directly.
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