What's Happening?
Lactiga US, Inc., a biotechnology company based in North Brunswick, New Jersey, has received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance its development of a novel mucosal antibody derived from human breastmilk. This antibody, known as secretory IgA (sIgA), is intended to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by targeting the intestinal mucosa to neutralize luminal antigens and strengthen epithelial barrier function. The NIH award supports Lactiga's efforts to establish a polyclonal antibody platform for mucosal immunity, aiming to address chronic diseases and immune dysregulation in vulnerable populations. The company is also seeking Series A financing to accelerate clinical development of its sIgA assets.
Why It's Important?
Inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, affects nearly 3 million Americans and imposes significant costs on the U.S. healthcare system. Current treatments, such as biologics and immunosuppressants, are expensive and often have severe side effects, with less than half of patients achieving lasting remission. Lactiga's approach using breastmilk-derived sIgA offers a potentially safer and more effective alternative by leveraging the natural immune-regulating properties of sIgA found in breastmilk. This innovation could lead to a new class of oral mucosal immunotherapies, providing relief for patients with IBD and reducing healthcare costs.
What's Next?
Lactiga plans to conduct further research in collaboration with Tor Savidge, Ph.D., at Baylor College of Medicine, focusing on how sIgA neutralizes pathogens and stabilizes mucosal barrier function. The company is raising Series A financing to support the clinical development of its sIgA assets, aiming to bring these therapies to market for immunodeficient populations. Continued research and development could pave the way for broader applications of sIgA in treating other chronic conditions.
