Anti-gluten IgY Oral Passive Antibody
IGY Inc. has innovatively approached to fill an unmet need for adjunctive therapy for celiac patients who currently face a life-long gluten-free diet. The project was co-funded by Alberta Meat and Livestock Agency, Alberta Food Council, Alberta Animal Welfare Association, and Alberta Egg Producers. Up-to-date, we have gained scientific proofs of in-vitro, in-vivo, as preclinical efficacy of the product, which leads to the human clinical trial Phase I platform.
The quality of life of celiac disease patients would improve with anti-gluten IgY prevention since it would allow some gluten to be consumed over a short period of time, for instance during social events or travel. This natural health product could then pave the way for long-term or permanent treatment of celiac disease, since it would enhance the return of full intestinal function in patients who show incomplete recovery in response to a gluten-free diet.
The size of the market for IgY products is based upon the prevalence of diagnosed celiac disease, which accounts to 1-3% of the population in most parts of the world. Every diagnosed celiac patient is a potential customer. Market size trends can be estimated both from the emerging epidemiological story and from the rate of increase in the size of the gluten-free food market, which is supported almost entirely by patients with celiac disease.