Is aPotential Partnership with CSL possible?
Ithink this topic deserves a new thread as choosing who you partner with ispretty important IMO (but this thread will do for now).
Readingtime: Approx. 5 mins
My short answer:A long shot! BUT we have a friend in common apart from being Aussie Biopharma’s;and that is our cell technologies. So are we more likely to become friends and explorepotential synergies; or are we going to remain distant cousins?
ExecutiveSummary
Potentialsynergies: Both have skin in the game in terms of COVID treatments (ours MesenchymalStem Cells – Remestemcel-L; and theirs convalescent plasma); and we could collectivelyleverage our ‘down under’ status with funding from the Australian Government.
Convalescentplasma “for dummies”
Convalescentplasma is obtained from individuals (donors) who have recovered from arecent infection (e.g. COVID-19) and have generated an immune response againstthe infecting pathogen. This plasma is rich in neutralising antibodies andother immune mediators, which are then transfused into: the recentlyinfected/exposed (COVID-19) patient; or alternatively may be used prophylactically to help prevent infection (best ‘bang for your buck’ IMO inspecial needs groups (e.g. immunocompromised, nurses, nursing home residents).
Convalescent plasma and COVID-19 research
ClinicalTrials in Australia
Lifeblood(formally Red Blood Cross) stopped collecting convalescent plasma at theend of March 2021 due to increasing evidence from the now ceased clinical trialsin Australia that convalescent plasma does not alter outcomes for hospitalised COVID-19patients.
HOWEVER,Lifeblood acknowledged that there is some evidence that convalescent plasmacould help people with a suppressed immune system (or more minor cases of COVID-19).
Other reasons for stopping the clinical trials in Australiaincluded not enough previously infected COVID-19 donors in Australia andvaccines give a superior immune response.
IMO theclinical trials may have ended prematurely (as with our COVID-19 clinical trialwith Remestemcel-L) as the landscape/treatment regimen is evolving with morepeople becoming infected with COVID-19; and doubt whether vaccines are aseffective against the Delta-Strain; and debate around when, or whether, toboost due to waning vaccine immunity over time.
ClinicalTrials (and EUA) in the US
August 2020 (EUA) – In late August of 2020, the US Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for COVID-19convalescent plasma for individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 based on thefindings that it is safe and may be effective. Clinical trials continue to beencouraged, and the EUA may be amended based on additional findings.
IMO it is VERY FRUSTRATING that ConvalescentPlasma gets an EUA while Remestemcel-L (with a similar impeccable safetyprofile, and much greater efficacy) is in a holding pattern waiting for theresults of the OTAT meeting and further discussions with the FDA, in part becauseour COVID-19 trial was terminated early. F. LUDICROUS!!! In defence of the FDA, we are talking in late Augustof 2020 where the EUA was granted (before we had interrogated our results).
TakeAway
1.Moreresearch in cell based therapies is needed to find the ‘sweet spot’ in term ofdosage and the most appropriate time to commence therapy.
2.Convalescentplasma IMO may find its niche as an ‘add on’ to vaccines (in at risk or specialneeds groups, e.g. immunosuppressed, elderly in nursing homes, patients with significantcomorbidities, frontline healthcare workers) IF AND ONLY IF vaccine efficacy iscompromised against different strains (or if vaccine protection is shown to beshort lived)? LIKEWISE IMO even though Remestemcel-L is currentlypositioned for the most at risk intubated patients; I believe further researchmay find its ‘sweet spot’ may be even earlier (i.e. administered at the earliestsigns of breathing difficulty before intubation)? However I will not bedisappointed if it Remestemcel-L gets an EUA with its current positioning as a productwhen all else has failed (BECAUSE it will still saves many lives – and Ijust want it approved in some way or another – as it can be repositioned from here)!
3.Possiblesynergy of Remestemcel-L and CSL’s convalescent plasma and systemic steroids (in earlier stage of disease, soon after MonoclonalAntibodies have failed)?
4.Possiblemarketing synergy for Mesoblast and CSL assuming research shows products workin synergy (and/or Novartis walks – whichIMO they won’t)?
Thisis why I am of the opinion partnering with CSL may be a long shot but anythingis possible in the changing landscape of COVID-19.
What do you think about this topic/opportunityfellow member? I know many things will need to align, but what an opportunityfor Australia to showcase its wares.
I will leave some links below if you areinterested in researching convalescent plasma further.
As always please do your own research and do not take this as investmentadvice. Full disclosure: I am in no way affiliated (financially ornon-financially) with CSL. I hold a bundle of MSB shares as I am a big believerof its potential! Good luck long term holders!
https://www.lifeblood.com.au/news-and-stories/coronavirus/convalescent-plasma-status
https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/attachments/nchrac-report-convalescent-plasma-for-prevention-and-treatment-of-covid-19.pdf
https://www.cslbehring.com/vita/2020/convalescent-plasma-and-hyperimmune-globulin
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/covid-19-convalescent-plasma-and-hyperimmune-globulin
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