Melbourne-based therapeutic antibody development company Patrys (ASX: PAB) unveiled positive findings from preclinical studies using PAT-DX1 and PAT-DX3 in animal anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) vasculitis models.
Dr Kim O’Sullivan from Monash University presented the findings during the plenary session at the 21st International Vasculitis Workshop in Barcelona. He said, “Both PAT-DX1 and PAT-DX3 are able to reduce symptoms of inflammation without negatively impacting the immune system, as this is one of the major side effects of existing therapies for vasculitis.”
ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) comprises a group of autoimmune diseases that trigger inflammation in small—and medium-sized blood vessels. These conditions are marked by the presence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) targeting specific proteins within neutrophils, pivotal white blood cells in the body’s immune response.
Current treatment modalities for AAV involve high doses of immunotherapy agents like cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids, therapeutic antibodies against B cells, or adjunct therapy (C5aR inhibition, TAVENOS), all of which pose risks of severe side effects. So, there is a pressing need for safer therapeutic alternatives.
The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is one of the underlying processes in developing the autoimmune disease ANCA vasculitis. NETs are structures made by white blood cells to catch and kill pathogens; in the case of autoimmune diseases, these structures accidentally attack the body’s own tissues.
Dr O’Sullivan shared the key results of the impact of Patrys’ deoxymabs in an animal model of the disease. First, PAT-DX1 and PAT-DX3 are able to inhibit the formation of NETs in an animal model of ANCA vasculitis. Second, both deoxymabs reduced the level of inflammation and kidney injury in the animal model of ANCA vasculitis. Finally, neither PAT-DX1 nor PAT-DX3 had any detrimental effect on neutrophils, indicating that their administration did not suppress the immune system.
Patrys Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dr James Campbell, said, “We are very excited by the results from Dr O’Sullivan’s studies which suggest that there may be opportunities to develop deoxymabs as a therapeutic for ANCA vasculitis, and potentially for other related autoimmune diseases. ANCA vasculitis is a challenging condition and, while current treatments have transformed it into a relapsing/remitting disease, they are associated with increased drug-related toxicities and organ damage.”
Patrys’ deoxymab platform, centred around the deoxymab 3E10 antibody initially identified in a mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), operates by penetrating cell nuclei and directly binding to DNA. In doing so, it inhibits the DNA repair processes. This mechanism renders cancer cells susceptible to destruction without affecting normal cells, thus offering a promising avenue for cancer therapy.
Campbell added, “We believe a therapeutic that is able to reduce the inflammation associated with this disease without suppressing the immune system could provide a very attractive therapeutic option for patients. It is particularly exciting to see the potential opportunities to develop or partner our deoxymab technology expand while our GMP manufacturing of PAT-DX1 is underway and nearing completion.”
In H1 FY24, the Company recorded an income of $669.4k, down from PCP’s $1.8 million. It reported a loss of $1.9 million and spent about $1.5 million on R&D.
Previously, Patrys reported encouraging results from various non-clinical studies demonstrating the ability of its deoxymabs to suppress NET formation, a pivotal process implicated in cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, and inflammation regulation. These findings underscore the multifaceted potential of deoxymabs in addressing critical medical needs beyond ANCA vasculitis.
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