One-on-One with Dan Adelman, chief medical officer of celiac disease drug developer Alvine Pharmaceuticals

A gluten-free diet is great for celiac disease patients, but even the strictest adherents to dietary restrictions can experience flare ups or chronic symptoms.
That’s where Alvine Pharmaceuticals Inc. comes in with a drug that could make a huge impact. The San Carlos company earlier this month reported results of a Phase IIa trial that showed that its drug, ALV-003, could make a difference in helping patients with gluten-limiting celiac disease. It is the first mid-stage study to get positive results in modulating the immune system’s response to the storage protein.
The 15-employee company is backed by Sofinnova Ventures, InterWest Partners, Prospect Venture Partners, Flagship Ventures, Black River Asset Management and Panorama Capital.

Topica raises $27M Series B round

Topica Pharmaceuticals Inc. closed a $27 million Series B financing.
The round led by Third Rock Ventures and existing investors Prospect Venture Partners and Yasuda Enterprise Development Corp. Ltd.