+++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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
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