Almac Discovery and Immune Therapy Holdings (ITH), a spin out company from the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, today announced that they have engaged in a collaboration to develop a novel medical device targeting inflammatory diseases. By eliminating key immune mediating molecules this technology can be utilised to develop new therapies for conditions with a high unmet medical need.
By employing leukapheretic techniques, Almac Discovery and ITH have developed a highly specific, targeted and novel approach to the treatment of these conditions. The technology relies on the selective extraction of cells that are associated only with disease pathology from the patient’s blood, thereby creating a safe, effective treatment with the potential for specific biomarker development. The technology is currently in pre-clinical development for the treatment of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and cancer. The first human clinical trial is expected later in 2009 following which Almac Discovery and ITH will seek appropriate partners for further development.
Iain James, VP Biology at Almac Discovery, commented ‘The potential of this technology to make a real difference to patients is significant and Almac Discovery are very excited to be involved with ITH and the Karolinska Institute in its development.’
‘The opportunity to work with Almac Discovery on the development of our technology is of tremendous value and will allow us to realise the therapeutic potential of our work.’ said Ola Winqvist, Associate Professor of Immunology, Karolinska Institute.
About Almac Discovery Ltd.
Almac Discovery is an independent member of the Almac Group. The company is focussed on the discovery and development of novel and innovative approaches to the treatment of cancer and associated conditions, with the goal of developing a biomarker or diagnostic in parallel with each potential new therapeutic. Projects will generally be taken to clinical proof of concept (or earlier) before out-licensing or partnering for further development. Founded in 2008, Almac Discovery is located in Craigavon, Northern Ireland. For more information, visit www.almacgroup.com/discovery
About Immune Therapy Holdings
Immune Therapy Holdings AB (ITH) was founded in 2004 to explore T-cell based immunotherapies and capitalize on the long immunological and clinical tradition at the Karolinska Institute. The focus is to develop new therapies and diagnostics that will allow treatment tailored to an individual’s needs, based on an enhanced understanding of the molecular basis of the disease, thereby providing an improved efficacy and/or side effect profile.
The work is performed in close collaboration with leading research groups, clinical institutions, biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms. The pipeline currently includes seven projects, which will be developed to Proof of Concept and then partnered.
