Calypso Biotech, a leader in the development of Interleukin-15 (IL-15) targeted therapies, announces today completion of dosing of first Celiac Disease patient in the Phase 1 clinical trial of CALY-002, a novel humanized monoclonal antibody neutralizing IL-15. The ongoing clinical study of CALY-002 includes a single ascending dose in Healthy Volunteers, now successfully completed, as well as ascending dosing of cohorts of patients with Celiac Disease and Eosinophilic Esophagitis, two indications with significant unmet medical need where IL-15 plays a critical role.
The company is now expanding the senior clinical management to reflect this important transition to clinical evaluation. Dr Jos G.A. Houbiers MD, PhD joined Calypso Biotech as Chief Medical Officer on June 1st. Dr Houbiers brings to Calypso Biotech over 25 years of experience in pharmaceutical clinical development from large pharma companies and from biotech, where he has implemented medical and clinical development strategies, creative trial design and comprehensive medical safety monitoring across therapeutic areas, including immunology, urology and pain. He most recently served as Chief Medical Officer at Summit Therapeutics. Dr. Houbiers received his MD from Leiden University Medical Center and PhD (immunology) and MSc in medicine from Leiden University
Reflecting this exciting clinical progression, Calypso Biotech raised an additional €8M to the 2019 Series A round, bringing its total Series A financing to €28M from new and returning investors. Fountain HealthCare Partners joins renowned syndicate of Gilde Healthcare, Inkef Capital, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc. (JJDC), and the company’s founding investor M Ventures. Dr. Ena Prosser from Fountain’s Dublin (Ireland) office has also joined the Board of Calypso Biotech.. The additional proceeds of the Series A will be used to accelerate the development of CALY-002 in the core gastroenterology indications, further de-risk the asset, and develop a solid translational package to support the development of CALY-002 in additional auto-immune disease indications.
Alain Vicari, CEO of Calypso Biotech, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Dr Jos Houbiers to the team and to announce the extension of the Series A syndicate with Fountain Healthcare Partners. This further validates our ability to attract high-quality investors, and bodes well for our future fundraising campaign. These funds will accelerate the development of CALY-002 and bring us one step closer to propose a new treatment paradigm for auto-immune diseases to patients in need.”
Media Contact: FTI Consulting
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