Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes are thought to be attacked by the immune system. Israeli company GammaCan thinks it has the technology and capability to deliver isolated intravenous vitiligo-derived immunoglobulins of IgG variety from patients with this autoimmune disorder, to be put for good use: fighting malignant melanoma.
From the company’s products page:
VitiGam (vitiligo-derived IgG): This is our second generation intravenous IgG product and a first-in-class anti-cancer immunotherapy. We plan on having VitiGam entering phase I/II testing under a US IND in the near future. A pre-IND meeting was held earlier this year and we received positive guidance from the Agency. VitiGam is being designed to target patients with Stage III and IV metastatic melanoma.
VitiGam is an intravenous IgG that differs substantially from standard intravenous IgG in that it is manufactured from plasma of donors with vitiligo, a benign autoimmune skin condition. We have shown that VitiGam contains potent anti-melanoma activity. In vitro and mouse xenograft melanoma models have demonstrated that IgG from vitiligo subjects has potent anti-melanoma activity. Thus, we expect VitiGam to provide:Potent anti-melanoma activity that is specifically directed against malignant melanoma cells A safe and non-toxic approach to treat malignant melanoma and Broad anti-cancer activities — as is the case with GCAN101 [company’s other drug in the pipeline –ed.]
More at GammaCan website…
Press release: GammaCan Signs $6.5 Million Private Placement with Institutional Investors…
(via Israel21c)