Philikos is developing T-Guard, an innovative treatment for systemic sclerosis, a severe autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the body’s own cells and organs. This leads to scar tissue formation that impairs function and, in severe cases, can be fatal. Diffuse cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis (dcSSc) is the most aggressive form, with nearly half of patients facing life-threatening complications within five years. Currently, the only effective treatment is a stem cell transplantation, which removes the overactive immune cells. However, this is a high-risk and complex procedure, reserved for the most severe cases. T-Guard offers a safer, more targeted approach to eliminate these harmful immune cells, making it suitable for earlier stages of the disease and accessible to more patients. The Biotech Booster grant plays a pivotal role in advancing this effort. It enables the crucial quality testing and release of T-Guard as clinical trial medication, which is required to execute a proof-of-principle study in collaboration with expertise center Radboudumc. This study will investigate T-Guard’s potential to change the treatment landscape for dcSSc, offering new hope to patients living with this debilitating condition.
