20. October 2015

Press release: Additional subsidy funding for clinical development of a celiac disease drug

Zedira, Dr. Falk Pharma and the University of Mainz Hospital, which together comprise a flagship project of the Ci3 leading-edge cluster, are to receive additional subsidy funding for clinical development of a celiac disease drug.

The consortium consisting of Zedira, Dr. Falk Pharma and Prof. Schuppan of the Institute of Translational Immunology and the Department of Medicine at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz has announced that their collaboration on drug development of celiac disease is being further supported under the Ci3 excellence cluster of the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (German abbreviation: BMBF). The project involves the clinical development of the ZED1227 drug candidate. ZED1227 is the first low-molecular tissue transglutaminase blocker in the clinics. The joint venture was started as a flagship project of the leading-edge cluster for individualized immuneintervention (Ci3).  

Celiac Disease is the most common chronic inflammation of the small intestine, with a worldwide prevalence around 1% in most countries. The autoimmune disease is triggered and maintained by alimentary gluten in genetically susceptible individuals.

About Zedira:
The Darmstadt-based biotech company focuses on celiac disease and consequently also on the transglutaminase family of enzymes. The Company develops, produces and markets products for research and development as well as for diagnostics. Based on its patented family of low-molecular transglutaminase blockers, Zedira is establishing an active ingredient pipeline covering the primary indication of celiac disease. As an area of secondary indication the company is working on new approaches to thrombosis prophylaxis. Further, Zedira is working on bioavailable tissue transglutaminase inhibitors to address fibrotic diseases, e.g. diabetic nephropathy. Zedira is a portfolio company of the German seed investor High-Tech Gründerfonds.

About Dr. Falk Pharma:
Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH specializes in the development and marketing of pharmaceuticals used in hepatology and gastroenterology. Falk is one of the leading European companies in the field marketing its products by means of subsidiaries in selected countries and a network of sales partners. Furthermore, the Falk Foundation, an independent organization associated with Dr. Falk Pharma, is well-known for its international symposia, forums and educational literature supporting medical doctors, patients and their families.  

About Prof. Schuppan, Institute of Translational Immunology, University of Mainz:
Detlef Schuppan is Internist and Gastroenterologist and Chair of Institute of Translational Immunology at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany. He also obtained a Full Professorship of Medicine and holds a faculty position at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston, USA. He is considered an international opinion leader in celiac disease, both as physician and researcher. In Mainz he has established a center for patients with celiac disease, complicated celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.

About the Ci3 cluster:
The Ci3 leading-edge cluster pools the outstanding expertise in the Rhine-Main region of Germany, involving innovative new therapies and diagnostics in the field of individualized immuneintervention. To this end, Ci3 is putting together a network of players from the business, research and healthcare communities as well as the government and is shaping the integral element across the entire innovation and value creation chain.

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