Epithelial and endothelial cell layers serve as barriers between body compartments and the environment, maintaining gradients and regulating substance and cellular exchange between these spaces.  Physical barrier function is provided by the cells themselves and by a key "gate" that exists between the cells, the tight junction (aka Zona Occludens).

Alba’s scientific Co-Founder, Dr. Alessio Fasano, first described a cholera-toxin derived protein, Zonula Occludens Toxin (ZOT), which reversibly opens intestinal tight junctions.  Dr. Fasano subsequently characterized its putative endogenous human counterpart, a paracrine signaling protein that regulates paracellular permeability throughout the body. Found in humans and other mammals, this paracrine signal serves to transiently, physiologically and reversibly open tight junctions, which are present in barriers as diverse as the intestinal mucosa and the blood-brain barrier. He and collaborators worldwide have subsequently described the role of this mechanism and other mediators in the physiological regulation of tight junctions in a wide range of epithelia beyond the intestine.

Alba’s barrier function platform is based upon the rich history of Dr. Fasano’s discoveries together with other proprietary mechanisms involved in the regulation of paracellular permeability, cell signaling, inflammatory cascade, and disease etiology.  Alba’s vision is to leverage these critical findings together with our discovery capabilities and development expertise to develop drugs which treat the underlying cause of many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.