First Wave BioPharma, Inc. acquires ImmunogenX and with it latiglutenase to treat celiac disease.
First Wave BioPharma, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of targeted, non-systemic therapies for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, announced it has acquired ImmunogenX in an all-stock transaction with the combined company focused on advancing a GI pipeline comprised of multiple, late-stage clinical assets, including latiglutenase, a potentially first-in-class, near Phase III-ready, targeted, oral biotherapeutic for celiac disease.
James Sapirstein will continue to serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Wave BioPharma with Jack Syage, Ph.D., previously the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of ImmunogenX, assuming the role of President and Chief Operating Officer of First Wave BioPharma. Dr. Syage and Dr. Chaitan Khosla will also join the board of directors of First Wave BioPharma. First Wave BioPharma intends to license the commercial rights to latiglutenase in the United States and Canada to a strategic global pharmaceutical company which will commercialize latiglutenase following receipt of marketing approval.