Pune-based Ahammune Biosciences Private Limited and Ahmedabad-based Veeda Clinical Research Limited announce partnership for first in human studies with Ahammune’s investigational new drug- AB1001, being developed as a topical therapy for Vitiligo. The preliminary research for AB1001 was conducted at Ahammune’s R&D laboratory based out of Pune which demonstrates that this drug candidate is both safe and efficacious for vitiligo treatment.
Vitiligo or leukoderma is an autoimmune skin condition which results in the formation of white or light patches on our body. It is a lifelong condition and the current management options for these white patches provide only temporary and symptomatic relief, leading to an enormous unmet global need for treatment. Several misconceptions are associated with the disease which often cause patients to be ostrasized. This, along with fear of change in appearance has significant impact on patient’s life. Both the companies – Ahammune Biosciences & Veeda Clinical Research – anticipate that this new drug has a great potential for the treatment of vitiligo.
Speaking about the new treatment, Co-founder and Executive Director of Ahammune Biosciences Private Limited, Dr. Parul Ganju, said, “The development of our investigational new drug AB1001 is a result of years of hard work of Ahammune’s team and our commitment towards the cause of translating scientific innovations for betterment of the life of patients. Vitiligo is a debilitating disease where autoimmune attack to melanocytes results in the formation of white patches. The chronic nature of the disease and the lack of treatment options is distressing for the patients. Understanding this lacuna, we have identified new intervention pathway for the disease and have developed therapeutic molecules targeting this pathway. Our preclinical studies establish that our molecules have the potential to stop disease progression and also support repigmentation. We are very excited to partner with Veeda for the first in human studies with AB1001 for this promising new treatment, which will impact the lives of millions of patients.”
Commenting on the partnership between both companies, Managing Director of Veeda Clinical Research Limited, Mr. Ajay Tandon, said, “We are privileged to partner with Ahammune Biosciences in the clinical development of a novel solution for the management of Vitiligo as compared to currently available therapies. Veeda Clinical Research, along with its subsidiary Bioneeds India Private Limited and Joint Venture company Ingenuity Biosciences, will continue to invest in our preclinical and early and late phase clinical research capabilities to be able to partner with innovative biotech companies in developing novel therapies for unmet healthcare needs.”
To help people understand the disease better, Ahammune is also hosting a webinar entitled “Vitiligo: Treatment and Beyond” on World Vitiligo Day-June 25, 2022- at 2:30 PM IST. The keynote address will be from Padma Shri awardee Prof K. VijayRaghavan (Professor at NCBS, Bangalore and Former Principal Scientific Advisor to GoI) and will be followed by talks from noted vitiligo experts- Dr Davinder Parsad (PGIMER, Chandigarh), Dr Archana Singh (CSIR-IGIB) and Dr Maya Tulpule (Shweta Association) along with Dr Parul Ganju. This is a free webinar (Registration Link: https://forms.gle/C3hbAJWNLZve421m6).
Vitiligo or leukoderma is the most common depigmenting disorder in the world. It is a multifactorial disorder which causes a gradual loss of pigment-producing melanocytes from skin resulting in the appearance of white patches on skin and overlying hair on different body parts. It affects 1-2 percent of world population, with certain regions of India showing a high prevalence of about 8 percent. There is currently no cure for the disease and current treatment options are prescribed to manage the disease symptomatically.
Founded by Dr. Krishnamurthy Natarajan (Ph.D) and Dr. ParuI Ganju (Ph.D) in the year 2016, Ahammune boasts of an interdisciplinary team of dedicated scientists & thought leaders who share a common goal of translating scientific breakthroughs to foster innovative treatments for dermatological disorders. The company has developed proprietary small molecules to target mechanisms involved in skin homeostasis which have the potential to be effective for several skin diseases. Visit https://www.ahammune.com
Veeda Clinical Research Limited (“Veeda”) is one of the largest independent, full-service clinical research organizations in India, headquartered in Ahmedabad. Veeda offers a range of bioequivalence studies and early and late phase clinical trials. Veeda has successfully completed several regulatory inspections including USFDA, UK MHRA, ANVISA (Brazil), and WHO. Veeda has experience in conducting complex clinical studies. Visit https://www.veedacr.com
Veeda Clinical Research Limited is proposing, subject to receipt of requisite approvals, market conditions and other considerations, an initial public offering of its equity shares and has filed a Draft Red Herring Prospectus dated September 27, 2021 (“DRHP”) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). The DRHP is available on the website of SEBI as well as on the website of the book running lead managers, SBI Capital Markets Limited, ICICI Securities Limited, JM Financial Limited and Systematix Corporate Services Limited at www.sebi.gov.in, www.sbicaps.com, www.icicisecurities.com, www.jmfl.com and www.systematixgroup.in, respectively. Investors should note that investment in equity shares involves a high degree of risk and for details refer to the Red Herring Prospectus, including the section titled “Risk Factors” of the Red Herring Prospectus when available. Potential investors should not rely on the DRHP for any investment decision.
