Durham, NC (December 20, 2022) – Altis Biosystems, Inc., developer of RepliGut®, a technology platform that produces a layer of human intestinal stem or differentiated cells of either the small intestine or colon, announced today, Michael Berger, Ph.D. with Plakous Therapeutics is the recipient of the company’s Research Funding Initiative. The purpose of the Research Funding Initiative is to accelerate research into complex diseases and aid researchers in unlocking biological mysteries.
“Altis is excited to work with Dr. Berger, and Plakous to explore our RepliGut® Planar platform to complement their current research efforts related to a potential new drug filing for Protego- PD™, Plakous’ orally delivered acellular biotherapeutic for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). This work is an especially exciting opportunity to demonstrate the importance of microphysiologic systems (MPS) in developing strategies for the oral delivery of biologics,” stated Bill Thelin, Ph.D, Chief Scientific Officer of Altis.
“We [Plakous Therapeutics Inc.] are excited to partner with Altis Biosystems Inc. through their RepliGut® Research Funding Initiative. Altis’ physiologically relevant, primary-cell derived intestinal GI epithelial model is the ideal in vitro evaluation method to increase our research efficiency, while reducing drug development time and costs,” said Plakous Sr. PD Engineer Michael Berger, Ph.D. “Their RepliGut® Platform and gastrointestinal research expertise will complement our current research efforts related to our upcoming Investigational New Drug filing for Protego-PD™, our orally delivered acellular biotherapeutic for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).”
NEC is a devastating disease with a 30% mortality rate. NEC affects premature infants with very low birthweight (those born weighing less than three pounds) and is caused by inflammation and lack of development of the nascent intestine. Managing NEC consumes 20% of NICU expenditures annually. Plakous seeks to prevent NEC by accelerating intestinal maturation of premature infants with Protego-PD™
About Altis Biosystems
Altis Biosystems was founded to address the biopharmaceutical industry’s intense need for more accurate drug screening methods using in vitro platforms, which can more closely replicate human biology. Altis developed its intestinal platform to be the next generation for in vitro testing during drug development, allowing scientists to develop safer and more effective drugs using normal human intestinal tissue, and reducing the time and cost of drug discovery. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.altisbiosystems.com
About Plakous Therapeutics, Inc.
Plakous Therapeutics is a biotherapeutic company dedicated to researching and developing placenta derived regenerative therapies to improve patient outcomes and reduce health care costs. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.plakoustherapeutics.com