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20 oct 2003 09:30 prr rheumatoid arthritis target COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT
Prima Biomed demonstrated that its Rheumatoid Arthritis target triggers
release of damaging TNFa
20th October 2003
Prima Biomed Limited (ASX: PRR) subsidiary, Arthron Pty Ltd, today announced it has direct evidence
that the receptor being targeted by Arthron is responsible for the release of key inflammatory chemicals
responsible for rheumatoid arthritis.
Over the past three years several drug products have been launched that act downstream from the
trigger of rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs inhibit the inflammatory chemical Tumour Necrosis Factor
Alpha (TNFa). Arthron has recently demonstrated that activation of its proprietary target, the Fc
receptor on white blood cells is a major source of release of high levels of TNFa .
"TNFa is released by activated inflammatory white blood cells (macrophages) and we have
demonstrated that activation of the Fc receptor triggers this release. As the Fc receptor is clearly
upstream of TNFa release, inhibition of this receptor offers a potentially highly effective method of
removing TNFa’s effect on disease" said Prof Mark Hogarth Chief Scientific Officer of Arthron.
"Several products including Enbrel (Genentech), Remicade (J&J) and Humira (Abbott Laboratories) act
to mop up the TNFa released and we are developing drug molecules to prevent the release of TNFa.
In addition, inhibition of the Fc receptor is likely shut down the release of other damaging chemicals that
are triggered with TNFa".
One of the issues with TNFa inhibitors currently on the market is that they are injectable products.
Arthron is developing a small chemical entity approach to inhibiting the Fc receptor which will be
developed in tablet form. Experiments being undertaken demonstrate that the compounds being
developed by Arthron can shutdown TNFa release from human blood cells.
Arthron has a very strong intellectual property position covering both the Fc receptor and the drug
compounds that target the receptor and believes that as a result it can avoid the patent disputes which
have impacted upon other participants in this field. Arthron is currently in discussions with a number of
companies to co-develop and license the technology to secure access to additional expertise and
resources to develop a marketable drug for testing in human clinical trials. The company is confident
that its intellectual property and technical package creates an opportunity for a very significant new
therapeutic for rheumatoid arthritis.
About Prima Biomed
Based in Melbourne, Prima Biomed (ASX: PRR) is a biotechnology organisation with first and last rights
over technologies from the Austin Research Institute. Prima Biomed specialises in immunology and
cancer immunotherapy and adopts technology development that shows potential for commercial returns
within three years.
Inquiries: Marcus Clark Chief Executive Officer 03 9854 5700
Rudi Michelson (Monsoon Communications) 03 9620 3333