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Health & Biotech
The ASX 200 Health Index (XHJ) is up by 0.35% at the time of writing, compared to the broader index which is higher by 0.25%.
Alterity Therapeutics (ASX:ATH) is moving towards a Phase 2 clinical trial for its lead cancer drug, ATH434.
ATH434 treats patients with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare and rapidly progressing Parkinsonian disorder.
Prior studies have shown that ATH434 reduced abnormal accumulation of α-synuclein by restoring normal iron balance in the brain.
The primary objective of the drug is to improve motor function in patients with MSA and Parkinson’s Disease.
Earlier Phase 1 clinical trial has demonstrated that ATH434 is well tolerated, orally bioavailable, and achieved brain levels comparable to efficacious levels in animal models of MSA.
“By restoring normal iron balance in the brain, ATH434 has the potential to block α-synuclein aggregation, preserve neurons, and treat the underlying pathology of MSA,” says Dr. David Stamler, CEO of Alterity.
The Phase 2 will be a double-blind clinical trial where early stage MSA patients are randomized to one of two doses of ATH434 or a placebo, with twice daily dosing.
“If successful, this approach to modifying disease progression will have a profound impact on the quality of life for individuals living with MSA, a devastating disease with very few treatment options,” Dr. Stamler added.
Singular Health (ASX:SHG) +25% and Osteopore (ASX:OSX) -5%
Singular has been awarded a dollar-matched funding of $50k from the CSIRO Kick-Start Program to undertake a research project with the national science agency.
The program will focus on the development of an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tool to automatically generate cranial implants for craniotomies from CT scans.
Results will be validated by Singular alongside a dataset provided by Osteopore, as part of memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement between the two companies signed previously.
At the completion of the project, both companies will also collaborate in conducting a comparative study between their existing cranial implant design process and new design process in a clinical environment.
Emyria (ASX:EMD) +4.5%
The company has selected leading European pharmacological screening company, Eurofins, to commence screening for Emyria’s exclusive library of MDMA analogues.
Eurofins will perform a series of targeted CNS (central nervous system) screens to support the identification and development of lead compounds.
The analysis will provide further insights into and strengthen the intellectual property portfolio of Emyria’s library of MDMAs.
The company informed that its C-BOBCAT study has closed for recruitment at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney.
The C-BOBCAT trial is a first-in-human, investigator-led clinical trial investigating Cu-SAR-Bombesin (SAR-BBN) in patients with hormone receptor positive and HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer.
SAR-Bombesin will be used to image 7 patients with ER/PR positive metastatic breast cancer under the C-BOBCAT trial.
Living Cell Tech (ASX:LCT) -9%
The company has secured $3.5m through a placement, which will immediately enable it to commence plans for a third clinical trial of NTCELL in Parkinson’s disease.
The third trial aims to determine if NTCELL provides neuroprotection to halt or delay the natural progression of Parkinson’s disease.
Earlier clinical trials demonstrated safety and some efficacy of NTCELL in patients with mid- and late- stage Parkinson’s disease.
Race Oncology (ASX:RAC) -0.32%
Race has just secured its sixth US patent for Zantrene, a cancer drug which has been shown to be a potent inhibitor of the Fatso/Fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) protein.
The new patent expires in 2034, and further covers the therapeutic utility of Zantrene (and related chemical structures).
At Stockhead we tell it like it is. While Singular Health and Osteopore are Stockhead advertisers, they did not sponsor this article.
Health & Biotech
Health & Biotech
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