Relegating 2020 to hindsight, welcome 2021

So 2020 - bugger off!

We had the dog trial drag on and on but also fall short in terms of animal numbers. Covid saw the trial pulled up as getting vets and dogs together became impossible in some locations. Yes, SHs were disappointed and results seemingly underwhelmed Elanco too as they declined their first refusal right to take up MPL for vet purposes. We did however learn of the biphasic nature and dosing too high causing appetence issues. We had the one dog on lowest dose give best results. Then news of ongoing compassionate use and ph2 again. Ultimately, the drug did work and the palatabilty problem solved.

We had Epichem continue to operate throughout and the news of a biomass innovation within the pipeline in a JV framework. It much news on this since. Some contract changes but overall the Epichem business seems to have balanced the books in spite of the challenges as well as doing some great community work with medical grade sanitiser manufactured and donated.

We had plenty of SHs call to commercialise the production of sanitizer but it is not that simple to retool and scale up however they said they would if there was a market and contract. No market it seems as this did not eventuate.

The MPL Covid 19 trials at WEHI and 360labs remarkable results led to more trials (still going) in the Netherlands at Leiden. We all want the science to go quicker but our wishes are not making much difference. The leadership have stuck to the scientific pathway and without a major $ backer, they seem to be progressing with financial caution - noting they have made it explicitly clear it is a long shot. That said, the SP took a run on news that a US based mother and son dosed up on MPL and claim to have recovered rapidly. It certainly reinforced everyone’s desire for MPL to be the breakthrough therapeutic. That excitement has subsided as has the SP.

MND came to the front of the queue as money talks and cancer trials taking a slightly slower path but not forgotten. the ONJ folks concluded more research and again reinforced our product hypothesis. We have a lot to look forward to in the year ahead.

We have our CEO in the UK, CFO in Cairns, Epichem team in Perth and remote working become just part of the PAA fabric. Like it or not, it is not likely to change any time soon.

SH wanted more information, a roadmap, more transparency and I think we are getting there. Maybe not so shiny and polished but more info and a timeline has been forthcoming.

We have had loads of posts on wanting more positive promotion of the company and achievements- maybe this could be a company resolution for 21.

We saw the sad demise of the SH gathering in the Gong as Covid kicked off its spread through NSW... After the Vic experience, I do wonder why the NSW govt are not going harder to squash this! We will resurrect this gathering once it all settles.

We had plenty of banter, some balanced, some positive, some disgruntled and some confused or learning. Either way, it has delivered a lively and entertaining community. Some described it as almost cult like ....

so bugger off 2020!

any other memories and anecdotes to share?

adreamer wishing all a prosperous and profitable new year.