PEPTECH LIMITED 2003-05-27 ASX-SIGNAL-G
HOMEX - Sydney
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Australian biotechnology company, Peptech Limited announced today
that outstanding pre-clinical study results have been achieved for
a Domain Antibody for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
The human anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor-a Domain Antibody (anti-TNF-a
dAb) is being co-developed with the leading Domain Antibody drug
discovery company, Domantis Limited.
In an industry standard model for testing anti-TNF therapeutics,
administration of the dAb completely prevented the onset of
rheumatoid arthritis.
Domantis Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder Ian Tomlinson said
the success of the study clearly demonstrated that anti-TNF dAbs
could be used to prevent an inflammatory disorder in a validated in
vivo model.
"Domantis has established pre-clinical effectiveness just 14 months
since we commenced dAb selection against TNF," he said. "These
results and our rate of progress validate the therapeutic potential
of human dAbs and underline the effectiveness of our organisation. We
expect a number of additional dAbs to enter pre-clinical studies this
year, either as part of collaborative initiatives or our independent
drug discovery programs."
Peptech's Managing Director Stephen Kwik said the impressive results
endorsed the potential of human dAbs as the next generation of
therapeutics against TNF, the first of Peptech's nominated targets.
"Human dAbs represent a novel approach to targeting TNF, which is
implicated in a number of serious, chronic disorders such as
rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Crohn's disease," he said.
"Once again our commitment to and investment in Domantis is rewarded
by outstanding progress with results that significantly advance our
work towards the clinic."
BACKGROUND
PEPTECH LIMITED focuses on the research and development of peptides
and proteins in the areas of human pharmaceuticals and animal health.
It has a 36 percent interest in Domantis Limited.
DOMANTIS LIMITED is a drug discovery and development company that
specialises in the smallest antibody fragments called Domain
Antibodies.
DOMAIN ANTIBODIES (dAbs) are less than one tenth the size of
conventional antibodies and combine the best attributes of small
molecule drugs (formulation and delivery versatility, broad target
range, low cost of production) with those of full antibodies
(enormous diversity, high specificity, lower toxicity). Today, over a
quarter of all products in pharmaceutical development are therapeutic
antibodies and more than 50 percent of these are humanised or fully
human. There are 11 therapeutic antibodies on the market and
worldwide product sales are anticipated to reach US$ 1 0 billion
by 20 0.
Further information: Stephen Kwik Dr Paul Schober
MANAGING DIRECTOR INVESTOR RELATIONS
Peptech Limited Peptech Limited
Ph: (02) 9870 8788 Ph: (02) 9870 8788
PTD
unknown