With our product candidates, our people, and our infrastructure, Akston is 100% committed to pet-focused biotechnology.
Our mission: The Biotech Pets Deserve
We are passionate about developing novel protein-based therapies for pets designed to support veterinary care and improve treatment accessibility for pets and their families. Akston exists to give pets the biotech they deserve in the form of therapies their families can afford.
COMPANY HISTORY
2025
Clinical Study Launched: PD-L1 Ambifect® Therapy (AKS-619d)
Initiation of a target-disease study evaluating AKS-619d for dogs with solid tumors.
Clinical Study Launched: Long-Acting GLP-1 Therapy (AKS-562c)
Initiation of a target-disease study evaluating AKS-562c for weight management in cats.
Best Startup – S&P Global Animal Health Awards
Recipient for the 2024 calendar year, awarded at AHNTI Europe 2025.
2024
Veterinary Insulin Programs Sold to Dechra Limited
Pivot to Animal Health
Clinical Study Launched: PD-L1 Monoclonal Antibody Therapy (AKS-701d)
Initiation of a target-disease study evaluating AKS-701d for dogs with bladder cancer.
2023
KC Innovation Award
2023 recipient at Kansas City Animal Health Summit
Vakston, Inc. Formed
Subsidiary of Akston for human vaccine candidates
Diamune Therapeutics, Inc. Formed
Subsidiary of Akston for human diabetes candidates
2022
First AKS-440 Patent Granted
Phase II Clinical Trials for Booster
AKS-452 in Netherlands
First AKS-452 Patent Granted
Phase II/III Clinical Trials
AKS-452 in India
2021
Phase II Clinical Trials
AKS-452 in Netherlands
Phase I/II Clinical Trials
AKS-452 in Netherlands
Second Licensing Agreement of Veterinary Biologic Candidates
2020
Biologics Manufacturing Facility Commissioned
Phase I Clinical Trials
AKS-452 in Netherlands
First AKS-107 Patent Granted
Second Veterinary Insulin Patent Granted
First Veterinary Insulin Patent Granted
2019
First Licensing Agreement of Veterinary Biologic Candidates
Begin Building the Biologics Manufacturing Facility
2018
Awarded NIH/NIDDK Grant
Supporting Type 1 Diabetes Research
2017
Vet Candidates Developed
Canine Insulin and Feline Insulin Candidates
Partnership with Helmsley Charitable Trust
For Type 1 Diabetes Research
2015
First Ambifect® Platform Candidate
Type 1 Diabetes Intervention
New Research Lab Built
2012
Move to Cummings Center
Beverly, Massachusetts
2011
Akston Biosciences Corporation Incorporated
Akston founded by the team from SmartCells, Inc.
2010
Sale of SmartCells, Inc.
Sold to Merck & Co. in one of the largest preclinical pharmaceutical acquisitions in history
