Biotechnology company Calypso Biotech BV said on Thursday that the first celiac disease patient has been dosed with CALY-002 in a Phase 1 clinical trial.

CALY-002 is a novel humanized monoclonal antibody neutralizing IL-15, which controls immune pathways critically involved in disease onset and maintenance, as well as tissue destruction, in addition to its broad effect on inflammation.

The ongoing clinical study includes a single ascending dose in healthy volunteers, which has been successfully completed, as well as ascending dosing of cohorts of patients with celiac disease and eosinophilic esophagitis, two indications with significant unmet medical need where IL-15 plays a critical role.

Calypso Biotech also announced the appointment of Dr Jos G.A. Houbiers MD, PhD as chief medical officer. Dr Houbiers most recently served as chief medical officer at Summit Therapeutics.

Additionally, the company has raised another EUR8m to the 2019 Series A round, bringing its total Series A financing to EUR28m from new and returning investors. The additional proceeds will be used to accelerate the development of CALY-002 in the core gastroenterology indications, further de-risk the asset, and develop a solid translational package to support the development of CALY-002 in additional auto-immune disease indications.