IPierian turns its stem cell technology on Alzheimer's, antibody drugs

After fits and starts, iPierian Inc. will focus on developing monoclonal antibodies targeting Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, the company said Monday.

The South San Francisco stem cell technology and drug development company -- whose top-drawer investors include Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers    , Google Ventures and venture groups tied to GlaxoSmithKline and Biogen Idec -- said its antibody drugs will zero in on tau protein and the Complement pathway.

IPierian’s goal over the next six months is to identify a suite of antibodies for the tau and Complement programs, said CEO Nancy Stagliano, and to raise another round of financing by the end of the year.

Ultimately, iPierian is aiming to begin a human trial with one of those potential drugs in 2014, Stagliano said.