Imulan BioTherapeutics LLC of St. Joseph, Mo., has named Daniel Gingerich, DVM, as its chief scientific officer. As such, he will oversee all research and development operations for the company’s T-Cell Receptor Peptides, Lymphocyte T-Cell Immune Modulator and the Immune Selective Anti-Inflammatory Derivatives. Dr. Gingerich will also coordinate the regulatory trials for atopic dermatitis, stomatitis, viral diseases and cardiovascular programs. Gingerich has held senior research positions with a variety of veterinary and human pharmaceutical and life science companies, such as Cincinnati-based Stolle Milk Biologics Inc. and Fort Dodge Laboratories, a division of Wyeth in Madison, N.J. “We are fortunate to have Dr. Gingerich join the team,” said Craig Woods, DVM, chief executive officer of Imulan. “He brings a world of experience in clinical trial design, regulatory affairs and immunology which will facilitate development of our new immune-based treatments and biologics.” In related news, Imulan reported positive echocardiographic findings from a recent pilot trial using its T-Cell Receptor peptides for canine dilated cardiomyopathy. “For the first time, we may have documented the clinical relevance of the link between immune modulation and therapeutic intervention in canine cardiomyopathy,” Gingerich said. “Our findings suggest an improvement in cardiac function after immunization with our peptides, an effect that has been observed with other species. Although preliminary findings are encouraging, more work will be needed to confirm our findings and elucidate the optimal approach to this devastating disease.” Previous work in mice and turkeys demonstrated that Imulan’s TCR peptides have profound effects on infectious and drug-induced cardiomyopathy, and appear to induce remodeling of cardiac tissue by modulating the immune system, according to the company. “There is growing evidence that certain cardiac diseases are accompanied by changes in lymphocyte populations,” Dr. Woods said. “Lymphocytes, which produce a variety of cell signals, may directly influence cardiac fibroblasts and thereby affect cardiac compensation. We are hopeful that this research will lead to major cardiovascular breakthroughs within the next few years.” The study was supported by a grant from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. <HOME>
