PinCell

PinCell S.r.l. is a preclinical-stage biotechnology firm that operates from Milan, Italy, concentrating on developing treatments for rare and severe dermatological diseases with significant unmet medical needs. The company was established in October 2008 as an academic spin-off from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. It was founded by Professor Carlo Pincelli and Professor Alessandra Marconi, both considered world-class experts in dermatology. Professor Pincelli, who also serves as the Chief Medical Officer, is a distinguished dermatologist with over three decades of clinical and research experience and holds several international patents. His extensive background in cutaneous biology and autoimmune skin diseases at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia directly informs the company's scientific direction.

The company's business model is centered on the research and development of proprietary biologic therapies. PinCell's objective is to bring these therapies through preclinical and clinical development, targeting niche markets of orphan skin diseases. In May 2020, the company secured €1.65 million in a seed funding round led by the venture capital firm Sofinnova Partners to advance its development programs. A significant corporate milestone was the March 2025 announcement of a binding option agreement for acquisition by Scinai Immunotherapeutics (Nasdaq: SCNI), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in immunology. This strategic move is intended to accelerate the development of PinCell's lead asset.

PinCell's lead product candidate is PC111, a first-in-class, fully human monoclonal antibody that targets the soluble Fas Ligand (sFasL). This antibody is being developed for the treatment of Pemphigus, a rare and potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease that causes severe blistering of the skin and mucous membranes. Unlike current standard treatments, such as steroids or immunosuppressants, PC111 functions downstream of the immune system. Its mechanism of action involves blocking the sFasL protein from inducing apoptosis (cell death) in keratinocytes, the primary cells of the epidermis, thereby preventing the formation of blisters without suppressing the patient's overall immune system. This targeted approach is expected to offer a rapid onset of action and a more favorable safety profile with fewer immune-related side effects. PC111 has already received Orphan Drug Designation from the European Medicines Agency for Pemphigus and is also being investigated for other severe conditions like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).

Keywords: PinCell, PC111, dermatology, rare diseases, autoimmune, Pemphigus, monoclonal antibody, Fas Ligand, sFasL, anti-inflammatory, orphan drug, skin blistering, keratinocyte apoptosis, Carlo Pincelli, Alessandra Marconi, Sofinnova Partners, Scinai Immunotherapeutics, preclinical biotech, dermatological therapy, biopharmaceutical, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, non-immunosuppressive, first-in-class therapy, academic spin-off