Stem Cell Therapy for Pets: A Promising Future

Gallant Secures $18 Million for Innovative Stem Cell Therapy in Veterinary Medicine

San Diego-based startup, Gallant, recently announced a funding round of $18 million. This investment is dedicated to the development and potential launch of the first FDA-approved, ready-to-use stem cell therapy specifically for animals.

A New Approach to Animal Healthcare

Despite decades of research into stem cells for human applications, the field remains largely experimental in veterinary medicine. Gallant, established seven years ago, is initially focusing on feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS), a debilitating oral condition in cats. FDA approval for this treatment is anticipated by early 2026.

Early Research and Promising Results

Initial studies have demonstrated encouraging outcomes. Dogs suffering from arthritis have exhibited improvements in both pain levels and mobility, with some experiencing benefits for as long as two years. However, trials involving similar treatments for feline kidney disease have yielded less consistent results.

The Allogeneic Advantage

Gallant distinguishes itself through its allogeneic therapy. This method utilizes mesenchymal stem cells derived from a single donor animal within the same species. This approach allows for the production of a significantly larger number of doses – potentially up to 30 million – enhancing scalability compared to previous methods.

Investor Confidence

The recent funding round was spearheaded by Digitalis Ventures, a previous investor. NovaQuest Capital Management, known for its prior investment in the first FDA-approved human stem cell therapy, also participated in this round, signaling strong investor confidence.

Company History and Leadership

Gallant’s origins are noteworthy. Founder Aaron Hirschhorn previously oversaw the sale of DogVacay to Rover, a major competitor in the pet-sitting industry. Following Hirschhorn’s passing in 2021, Linda Black assumed leadership as president and chief scientific officer, having joined the company early in its development. To date, Gallant has raised a total of at least $44 million in funding.

Correction

*Please note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Gallant’s therapy involves harvesting stem cells from donors of different species. This is inaccurate. Gallant is exclusively focused on allogeneic – rather than xenogeneic – therapy. We apologize for this error.