Italy, May 4,
They have used a patented transgenic mouse that produces the human form of the FasL protein
PinCell, a biotechnology company developing a first-in-class therapy for rare and debilitating autoimmune skin diseases, announced the successful completion of two independent in vivo studies of its lead candidate (PC111) using a proprietary transgenic mouse model expressing the human form. of the target protein (FasL). PinCell is a spin-off of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and received seed funding from Sofinnova Partners, a leading European venture capital firm based in Paris, London and Milan.PinCell’s monoclonal antibody, PC111, has been shown to be effective in the neonatal passive mouse model pe600mphigus, considered the gold standard for testing treatments for pemphigus, a rare and debilitating skin disease characterized by extreme blistering of the skin and mucous membranes. Using the proprietary transgenic mouse, PC111 inhibited bleb production by at least 80%, confirming previous studies in human in vitro and ex vivo models of pemphigus. PC111 was also shown to dose-dependently neutralize human FasL in another in-vivo scenario involving the liver model of Concanavalin-A, which induces an acute release of FasL into the blood.” This is a great achievement for the company,” said Dr. Antonino (Tony) Amato, CEO of PinCell. “It provides for the first time in vivo proof of concept of the effect of PC111 in a humanized disease setting.” “We are really pleased,” said Prof. Carlo Pincelli, founder and Medical Director of PinCell. “By developing a proprietary model, we have now shown that our antibody effectively inhibits bleb formation by specifically binding to the human target.” “Moreover, the humanized FasL mouse model could prove to be a valuable tool to study the involvement of the Fas/FasL pathway in other diseases where this pathway may play a key role in the development and progression of the disease,” Prof. Pincelli added. About pemphigus Pemphigus is a rare disease affecting about 300,000 patients Worldwide. From a conservative point of view, a PC111-based treatment would be beneficial for more than 30 percent of this population that relapses or is refractory to first-line treatments. PinCell therapy will be an alternative to steroids or immunosuppressants today prescribed or under development. By acting at the skin cell level, PC111’s innovative mode of action will help reduce or avoid the use of steroids/immunosuppressants, while displaying a rapid onset of action. About PinCell PinCell is a biotechnology company that focuses in a new pathological pathway to develop first-class anti-inflammatory therapies for the treatment of rare, severe and highly undertreated skin diseases. Based in Milan, Italy, PinCell was founded in October 2008 as an academic spin-off of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia by Professors Carlo Pincelli and Alessandra Marconi, world experts in dermatology. PinCell received seed funding from Sofinnova Partners. For more information, visit www.pincell.it About Sofinnova Partners Sofinnova Partners is a leading European venture capital firm specializing in Life Sciences. Headquartered in Paris (France) and offices in London and Milan, the company brings together a team of 40 professionals from all over Europe, the United States and Asia. The firm focuses on paradigm-shifting technologies alongside visionary entrepreneurs. Sofinnova Partners invests across the entire life sciences value chain as a lead or key investor, from very early stage opportunities to late stage public companies. It has supported nearly 500 companies for more than 48 years, creating market leaders around the world. Currently, Sofinnova Partners manages more than 2,000 million euros. For more information, visit: sofinnovapartners.com
ContactContact name: Tony AmatoContact description: MD – CEO, PinCellContact phone: 393346263471
