Dr. Yaffa Beck Joins Allergica as Chairman

Allergica Chairman: We Intend to Begin Trials Within 18 Months

Sharon Sporer, The Marker

Feb 6, 2006

The Bio-Light Group has appointed Dr. Yaffa Beck to the position of chairman of its company Allergica, which is developing a new allergy treatment. The drug is based on research that is being conducted by Ramot, the technology transfer company at Tel Aviv University.

Allergica has an exclusive license for the development and marketing of its compound worldwide. Dr. Beck is considered one of the senior figures in the world of biotechnology and her appointment took place after experiments in the cells of animals and humans were performed successfully and proved the effectiveness of the drug. The appointment took place as company is preparing for its first clinical trials.

Dr. Beck has specialized in the field of development and management of biotechnology for over 23 years. In her previous position, she managed the company Brainstorm, which dealt with therapies for diseases such as Parkinson’s. In addition to serving as CEO of the U.S. Company, Beck managed its Israeli subsidiary, which focused on research and development. Beck also continues to provide strategic consulting services to the developing companies emerging from Ramot at Tel Aviv University and other startup companies.

Beck said today that her goal is to significantly speed the development of the unique drug that Allergica is developing against allergies.

According to Beck, the drug being developed by Allergica is unique in that it concentration on delaying the cells that are responsible for allergic reactions of different types. After experiments on human and animal cells have proved that the compound effective in preventing allergic reactions, the goal of the company is to bring the drug to the stage of clinical trials on humans within 18 months. The ultimate aim of the company is to join forces with international pharmaceutical manufacturers for the marketing of the drug.

Beck said, “The allergy medication market, especially those aimed at asthma and skin problems, is controlled today by drugs that treat the symptoms of the disease and often carry serious side effects, which are not effective or those that don’t address chronic issues. The numbers of people who suffer from allergies is increasing. There is a huge world need for medications that that directly attack the cells that are the basis for allergies, and our vision is to meet this need. “The allergy market is one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in the world. Treatments worldwide for asthma alone stand at $12 billion per year.