A US-based startup focused on curing pet health issues with ready-to-use stem cell therapies has secured over $18 million in fresh funding.
Founded by Aaron Hirschhorn, Gallant is looking to develop the first off-the-shelf stem cell therapy kits in veterinary medicine that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Its latest funding round was led by existing backer Digitalis Venture and also saw participation from NovaQuest Capital Management, which has invested in human stem cell therapy in the past. So far, the company has raised a total of $44 million from investors.
Hirschhorn, who passed away in 2021, started Gallant after selling pet-sitting network DogVacay to its biggest rival Rover, according to a report by TechCrunch. “We’re honored to have the backing of partners who share our vision in creating this new category of medicine that doesn’t just help pets feel better, but helps pets get better,” said Dr Linda Black, CEO of Gallant.
“The FDA approval of the first human allogeneic stem cell therapy was a historic milestone, and we’re looking forward to delivering this breakthrough therapy for animal health,” she added.
Gallant’s first stem cell therapy kit is aimed at tackling a painful mouth condition in cats called Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS). It is on track for FDA approval in early 2026, the company said. If approved, the product could revolutionise how medical conditions in pets are treated.
What is stem cell therapy?
The primary function of stem cells is self-repair or regeneration. Unlike other cells in our body, stem cells have the unique ability to transform into different types of cells, each serving a specific function.
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Stem cells hold great potential for medical research and treatments because they can help repair damaged tissues and organs in the body. Their healing potential is also being explored in regards to humans with thousands of legitimate clinical trials currently underway.
While most stem cell therapy treatments require the cells from a patient or donor with matching tissue to be harvested, Gallant’s approach is slightly different and said to be more convenient.
This is because the company uses ready-to-use cells from donor animals, even if they are a different species. Despite some encouraging early results, it is important to remember that stem cell therapy is still an experimental field.
For example, studies have shown that stem cell treatments helped to ease the pain and improved mobility of dogs with arthritis for at least two years. However, similar stem cell treatments targeted at kidney diseases in cats offered mixed results.
