Company Description
Azitra, Inc. (NYSE American: AZTR) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for precision dermatology. According to the company’s public disclosures, Azitra is advancing a pipeline of product candidates that use engineered strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis and other topical live biotherapeutic products to address serious skin diseases with limited or no approved treatment options. The company is based in Branford, Connecticut and operates in the biotechnology research and development segment within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector.
Precision dermatology and live biotherapeutic platform
Azitra states that its lead and pipeline programs are built on a proprietary platform of engineered proteins and topical live biotherapeutic products. This platform includes a microbial library comprised of approximately 1,500 bacterial strains. Company materials describe how this library is augmented by artificial intelligence and machine learning technology that analyzes, predicts, and helps screen strains for drug-like molecules. This approach is intended to support the design of topical cellular therapies and recombinant therapeutic proteins for dermatologic use.
The company’s disclosures emphasize the use of engineered S. epidermidis strains to deliver specific therapeutic proteins directly to the skin. Across its programs, Azitra is targeting rare genetic skin disorders and treatment-related toxicities where it identifies significant unmet medical need.
Lead program: ATR-12 for Netherton syndrome
Azitra identifies ATR-12 as its lead program. ATR-12 uses an engineered strain of S. epidermidis designed to treat Netherton syndrome, which the company describes as a rare, chronic skin disease with no approved treatment options. Public statements note that Netherton syndrome may be fatal in infancy, and that individuals who live beyond the first year often face profound lifelong challenges.
The ATR-12 program includes a Phase 1b clinical trial in adult Netherton syndrome patients. Company communications also describe ATR-12 as being designed to replace and deliver deficient LEKTI protein when applied topically to Netherton syndrome patients, reflecting Azitra’s focus on addressing underlying protein deficiencies in targeted dermatologic conditions.
ATR-04 program for EGFR inhibitor–associated rash and skin toxicity
Azitra’s additional advanced clinical program is ATR-04, which utilizes another engineered strain of S. epidermidis. The company states that ATR-04 is being developed for EGFR inhibitor (EGFRi)–associated rash and skin toxicity, a dermatologic adverse effect that can occur in oncology patients receiving EGFR inhibitor therapies.
According to Azitra’s announcements, a Phase 1/2 clinical trial has been initiated for ATR-04, and the first patient has been dosed in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study evaluating safety, tolerability, and efficacy signals in adult patients with EGFRi-associated dermal toxicity. The company reports that it has received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for ATR-04 for EGFRi-associated rash, which it estimates impacts approximately 150,000 people in the United States.
Azitra has described ATR04-484, a live biotherapeutic product candidate including an isolated, naturally derived S. epidermidis strain, as part of the ATR-04 program. The strain was selected based on a preclinical profile that included reducing IL-36γ and S. aureus levels, and was engineered to enhance safety by deleting an antibiotic resistance gene and engineering auxotrophy to control growth.
ATR-01 program for ichthyosis vulgaris
Beyond its clinical-stage assets, Azitra is also progressing ATR-01, a preclinical program targeting ichthyosis vulgaris. Company disclosures describe ichthyosis vulgaris as an autosomal semidominant genetic disorder caused by missing or abnormal filaggrin levels, with no treatment options beyond symptom management. Azitra reports that ichthyosis vulgaris impacts approximately 1.3 million people in the United States.
The ATR-01 program utilizes a strain of S. epidermidis called ATR01-616, engineered to secrete a functional unit of the human filaggrin protein. Preclinical data described by the company indicate that ATR01-616 secreted functional filaggrin in vitro, delivered filaggrin through the human stratum corneum in ex vivo human skin models, and reduced transepidermal water loss in an ex vivo damaged pig skin model. Azitra has communicated a goal of submitting an IND for ATR-01, reflecting its intention to move this program toward first-in-human clinical evaluation.
Regulatory status and exchange listing
Azitra’s common stock trades on the NYSE American under the ticker symbol AZTR. In multiple filings and press releases, the company notes that it is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company and an emerging growth company under U.S. federal securities laws.
The company has reported receiving notices from NYSE American regarding non-compliance with continued listing standards related to minimum stockholders’ equity under Section 1003(a)(ii) of the NYSE American Company Guide. Azitra submitted a plan to regain compliance, and an NYSE American notice dated December 16, 2025, accepted this plan and granted a plan period through April 1, 2027. During this period, Azitra remains listed on NYSE American, subject to periodic reviews and potential delisting proceedings if it does not regain compliance or make progress consistent with its plan. The company cautions that there can be no assurance it will successfully regain or maintain compliance.
Capital markets activity
Azitra’s SEC filings describe several capital-raising arrangements. These include an equity line of credit with Alumni Capital LP (often referred to as an ELOC), under which the company has the right, but not the obligation, to sell shares of common stock up to a specified investment amount, subject to the terms of a purchase agreement and a subsequent modification agreement. The company has also entered into private placement transactions involving common stock, pre-funded warrants, and common stock purchase warrants sold to institutional investors, as well as related placement agent warrants issued to a financial intermediary.
Registration statements on Form S-1 describe the registration of shares of common stock and warrant shares for resale by selling stockholders, including shares underlying pre-funded warrants, common stock purchase warrants, placement agent warrants, and ELOC warrants. These filings outline the potential issuance of additional shares under these arrangements and the associated resale registration rights.
Corporate governance and stockholder matters
Azitra’s definitive proxy statement for a Special Meeting of Stockholders scheduled for February 6, 2026, describes proposals related to stock issuance approvals under NYSE American rules and the potential adjournment of the meeting to solicit additional proxies if needed. The proxy materials explain that the company is seeking stockholder approval for the issuance of more than 19.99% of its outstanding common stock, comprised of shares underlying warrants issued pursuant to a securities purchase agreement with Alumni Capital LP.
The company has also reported a reverse stock split of its outstanding common stock at a ratio of 1-for-6.66, effected through a certificate of amendment filed in Delaware. The reverse split was approved by stockholders and the board of directors and became effective in August 2025. Azitra notes that the reverse split did not change the total number of authorized shares of capital stock.
Focus areas and development strategy
Across its public communications, Azitra consistently describes its strategy as advancing live biotherapeutic and engineered protein-based therapies for dermatologic conditions with significant unmet medical need. Its programs target:
- Netherton syndrome (ATR-12), a rare, chronic, and potentially life-threatening skin disease with no approved treatments.
- EGFR inhibitor–associated rash and skin toxicity (ATR-04), a treatment-related adverse effect in oncology patients that can lead to interruption or discontinuation of cancer therapy.
- Ichthyosis vulgaris (ATR-01), a genetic disorder linked to filaggrin deficiency, where current management is largely symptomatic.
The company highlights that all three programs—ATR-12, ATR-04, and ATR-01—were generated from its proprietary platform that combines a microbial strain library with AI- and machine learning–driven screening for drug-like molecules. Azitra’s disclosures also reference participation in industry conferences and investor events, where management presents updates on clinical and preclinical progress, safety data, and development plans.
Risk considerations
Azitra’s filings and press releases contain extensive forward-looking statements and risk factor discussions. The company notes that its product candidates are in clinical and preclinical stages, that regulatory approval timelines and outcomes are uncertain, and that it may experience delays or unfavorable results in clinical trials. It also highlights risks related to funding needs, competition from other treatments, dependence on third parties for manufacturing and testing, intellectual property disputes, and the possibility of not regaining or maintaining compliance with stock exchange listing standards.
Investors reviewing AZTR stock typically consider the company’s stage of development, the status of its clinical trials and regulatory designations, its capital structure and financing arrangements, and the specific dermatologic indications targeted by its live biotherapeutic and engineered protein platform.