Palisade Bio Inc (NASDAQ: PALI) recently announced to receive an exclusive license from the University of California for a technology developed by Dr. Michael Heller in the laboratory at UC San Diego. The license is related to a proprietary technology that detects enzymatic protease activity in human clinical subjects. Together with a 2020 license from UC, this licensing agreement entitles Palisade for a worldwide exclusive license to patent rights for some of the engineered substrates and their use.
Tom Hallam, Chief Executive Officer of Palisade, commented that chronic proteolytic enzyme leaks from the gastrointestinal tract could be observed in many chronic endocrine and inflammatory diseases. Palisade team brings a detailed understanding of the protease activity of the gastrointestinal tract. The UC license will help us expand the company’s whole-blood assay to identify specific enzyme activity causing certain diseases. Such technology forms a platform for novel target and drug discovery as the company expands its pipeline of drug candidates. In addition, it will allow us during drug development for efficient patient selection and clinical response measurement.
Palisade’s operational focus
Palisade is a late-stage biopharma company focusing on drug development for acute and chronic gastrointestinal complications caused by post-operative digestive enzyme damage. The company’s lead clinical candidate, LB1148, completed a Phase 2 study related to its efficacy post gastrointestinal surgery in China, jointly with Newsoara. LB1148, a phase 3 ready candidate, is a protease inhibitor that can reduce abdominal adhesions and help restore bowel function post-surgery. The company announced in May 2021 to have received Fast Track Designation for LB1148 from the USFDA, related to an indication for reduction of adhesions post-abdominal and pelvic surgery. Palisade’s LB1148 has already been granted such designation from the USFDA to treat GI dysfunction following pediatric cardiovascular surgery.
Palisade’s management team
Palisade’s CEO, Dr. Hallam, brings broad pharmaceutical industry expertise, having experience in pre-clinical research, clinical development, and regulatory affairs. He holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of California, Davis. In addition, JD Finley and Dr. Michael Dawson serve as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Medical Officer at Palisade. Dr. Dawson holds postgraduate degrees in cell biology and biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego. John Rodenrys, Chief Technology Officer at Palisade, is also Co-Founder and Executive Vice President.