Nobel Laureate Dr. Michael Houghton joins Celestial Therapeutics Scientific Advisory Board
Image courtesy of University of Alberta
Celestial Therapeutics Inc. (“Celestial”) is excited to announce that Nobel Laureate Dr. Michael Houghton has now joined Celestial’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).
Dr. Houghton was named the 2020 Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine along with Harvey J. Alter and Charles M. Rice in recognition of their discovery of the Hepatitis C (HCV) virus. His research in the field of viral hepatitis has led to elimination of the virus from blood supplies leading to improved blood safety and hepatitis C treatment. His ground breaking research has impacted millions of lives. He is currently a full Professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry and is also serving as the Director of The Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute (LKSAVI). Dr. Houghton is currently working on a vaccine for Hepatitis C.
“It is a real privilege and honor to have Dr. Houghton join our SAB” says Celestial CEO Dr. Ajay Gupta. "He brings solid expertise in virology, immunology, vaccines and drug discovery. His addition to our SAB will further strengthen our scientific team consisting of world-renowned scientists from prominent academic institutions”.
"I am delighted to join the SAB of Celestial. I am really interested in their science and medical objectives. I very much look forward to their continued progress on Celestial’s new class of dual modal antivirals and anti-inflammatory properties." says Dr. Houghton.
About Celestial Therapeutics
Celestial is a start-up California based biotechnology company developing a new class of dual modal anti-infective and anti-inflammatory drugs for conditions which currently lack safe and effective treatments. Celestial’s lead product, CT-02, is being developed as a first-ever broad spectrum dual modal antiviral & anti-inflammatory inhalation therapeutic for treating lung infections due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza Virus (IV), and Rhinoviruses (RV). Celestial’s new class of pulmonary surfactant lipid and protein drugs are broad spectrum for treating infections including bacterial, viral, yeast, fungal, and mycobacterial infections, while also acting as safe and effective anti- inflammatories. Celestial’s treatments have the potential to overcome drug resistance and to provide novel therapies for pandemic flu.