Ternarx aims to create next-generation cancer medicines using protein degraders. Picture Getty
Check Up: Aussie biotech Ternarx to pioneer next-gen cancer medicine, and recent ASX health winners
Health & Biotech
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- Ternarx, a new Melbourne biotech, targets tough cancers with advanced tech
- Ternarx aims to create next-generation cancer medicines using protein degraders
- We take a look at how ASX biotechs have performed over the past month
A new biotech company called Ternarx has been launched in Melbourne, aiming to use cutting-edge technology to target hard-to-treat cancers.
In 2023, the Albanese Government awarded $15 million to create the Australian Centre for Targeted Therapeutics.
The centre is a partnership between experts from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), the Children’s Cancer Institute, and Monash University.
WEHI has now formed and spun out Ternarx to develop and commercialise targeted protein degrader medicines, a class of drugs designed to eliminate proteins that cause cancers.
Every year, 150,000 Australians are diagnosed with cancer. Many cancers are linked to specific proteins, but most of these proteins do not respond to existing drug treatments.
Most patients are also treated with drugs developed over 25 years ago, which sometimes can have severe side effects.
Ternarx aims to create next-generation cancer medicines using protein degrader technology, offering potentially more effective treatments with fewer side effects.
Unlike conventional drugs that merely inhibit protein activity, targeted protein degraders can completely remove disease-causing proteins from the body (more on this below).
Ternarx will start by focusing on neuroblastoma and prostate cancer.
If successful, this technology could be expanded to treat other types of cancer and diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s.
What are targeted protein degraders?
Targeted protein degraders are a novel and emerging class of therapeutics. They are designed to selectively degrade specific proteins within cells.
Unlike traditional small-molecule inhibitors, which typically block the function of a protein, targeted protein degraders work by binding to the protein of interest and tagging it for degradation by the cell’s own protein degradation machinery.
The most common type of targeted protein degraders are called PROTACs (Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras), which work by removing harmful proteins from the body.
Proteins are like tiny machines inside our cells, performing many important tasks. However, sometimes they can malfunction and cause diseases like cancer.
Traditional drugs typically try to block these malfunctioning proteins to stop them working.
PROTACs, on the other hand, do something different and quite innovative. Instead of just stopping the harmful proteins, they remove them entirely from the cell.
PROTAC molecules work by attaching to the bad protein and also to a special part of the cell called an E3 ubiquitin ligase.
This part of the cell is responsible for tagging unwanted proteins for destruction. When the PROTAC brings the bad protein and the E3 ubiquitin ligase together, it tags the bad protein so that the cell’s natural cleaning system can remove it.
This innovative method thus involves entirely eliminating the harmful proteins, allowing PROTACs to treat cancers more effectively.
Now to the ASX…
How ASX biotechs performed over the past month
Over the past month, ASX biotechs showed a nearly even split in performance, with the number of winners closely mirroring the number of losers.
Swipe or scroll to reveal the full table. Click headings to sort,
| CODE | COMPANY | PRICE | 1 MONTH RETURN % | 6 MONTH RETURN % | 1 YEAR RETURN % | MARKET CAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACW | Actinogen Medical | 0.082 | 156% | 220% | 134% | $207,465,971 |
| ZLD | Zelira Therapeutics | 1.080 | 145% | 20% | -30% | $11,914,513 |
| ICR | Intelicare | 0.024 | 140% | 33% | 85% | $7,565,991 |
| JTL | Jayex Technology | 0.002 | 100% | -82% | -80% | $562,557 |
| EZZ | EZZ Life Science | 2.300 | 95% | 274% | 360% | $97,709,040 |
| SNT | Syntara | 0.045 | 55% | 165% | -18% | $54,925,462 |
| HMD | Heramed | 0.024 | 41% | 3% | -69% | $14,564,746 |
| OIL | Optiscan Imaging | 0.210 | 40% | 156% | 139% | $183,774,977 |
| OSL | Oncosil Medical | 0.007 | 40% | -7% | -43% | $23,788,167 |
| TRI | Trivarx | 0.036 | 38% | 38% | 80% | $16,453,393 |
| BDX | Bcaldiagnostics | 0.145 | 38% | 48% | 107% | $45,572,734 |
| IMR | Imricor Med Sys | 0.590 | 34% | 13% | 56% | $119,692,163 |
| LDX | Lumos Diagnostics | 0.044 | 33% | -50% | -31% | $20,696,197 |
| SOM | SomnoMed | 0.350 | 32% | -2% | -55% | $75,637,889 |
| PAR | Paradigm Bio. | 0.305 | 30% | -21% | -68% | $104,938,804 |
| MDR | Medadvisor | 0.570 | 30% | 97% | 153% | $308,304,591 |
| CVB | Curvebeam Ai | 0.250 | 28% | -32% | 0% | $51,385,908 |
| NTI | Neurotech Intl | 0.078 | 28% | 4% | 77% | $79,356,310 |
| ONE | Oneview Healthcare | 0.415 | 28% | 54% | 102% | $280,172,937 |
| RAD | Radiopharm | 0.038 | 27% | -59% | -63% | $39,127,418 |
| AGH | Althea Group | 0.026 | 24% | -38% | -45% | $9,322,646 |
| TLX | Telix Pharmaceutical | 20.050 | 21% | 86% | 69% | $6,669,383,650 |
| CAJ | Capitol Health | 0.295 | 20% | 18% | 16% | $309,153,774 |
| HXL | Hexima | 0.012 | 20% | -33% | -50% | $1,670,396 |
| ATH | Alterity Therap | 0.006 | 20% | 33% | -8% | $26,225,577 |
| ALC | Alcidion Group | 0.055 | 20% | -15% | -45% | $79,205,920 |
| AHC | Austco Healthcare | 0.215 | 19% | 15% | 27% | $78,467,119 |
| EYE | Nova EYE Medical | 0.268 | 19% | 0% | 8% | $62,926,400 |
| DVL | Dorsavi | 0.013 | 18% | 8% | -7% | $7,997,308 |
| AVH | Avita Medical | 3.070 | 18% | -33% | -47% | $197,483,736 |
| IMC | Immuron | 0.105 | 18% | 40% | 35% | $22,799,835 |
| AGN | Argenica | 0.830 | 18% | 25% | 141% | $108,238,398 |
| CDX | Cardiex | 0.067 | 18% | -45% | -55% | $19,709,696 |
| SIG | Sigma Health | 1.363 | 17% | 43% | 82% | $2,203,019,282 |
| MVP | Medical Developments | 0.475 | 17% | -53% | -68% | $40,994,979 |
| PYC | PYC Therapeutics | 0.123 | 17% | 38% | 77% | $559,930,009 |
| CBL | Control Bionics | 0.050 | 16% | 6% | -35% | $9,964,339 |
| BOT | Botanix Pharma | 0.383 | 16% | 119% | 173% | $696,864,548 |
| IME | Imexhs | 0.480 | 16% | -25% | -20% | $21,857,712 |
| ALA | Arovella Therapeutic | 0.155 | 15% | 15% | 230% | $162,947,727 |
| CU6 | Clarity Pharma | 5.910 | 13% | 180% | 544% | $1,823,128,497 |
| SDI | SDI | 0.890 | 13% | 14% | 9% | $105,790,322 |
| ADR | Adherium | 0.018 | 13% | -69% | -58% | $13,654,439 |
| CSX | Cleanspace | 0.315 | 13% | -22% | 31% | $23,981,520 |
| ANR | Anatara Ls | 0.045 | 13% | 88% | 33% | $8,680,218 |
| NEU | Neuren Pharmaceut. | 21.900 | 12% | -8% | 61% | $2,682,851,039 |
| NOX | Noxopharm | 0.075 | 12% | -6% | 108% | $21,917,846 |
| CHM | Chimeric Therapeutic | 0.019 | 12% | -42% | -55% | $16,207,031 |
| RSH | Respiri | 0.030 | 11% | 11% | -9% | $34,396,068 |
| GSS | Genetic Signatures | 0.748 | 11% | 59% | 29% | $172,194,843 |
| NAN | Nanosonics | 3.190 | 10% | -23% | -33% | $975,653,071 |
| OCA | Oceania Healthc | 0.535 | 10% | -22% | -24% | $389,156,639 |
| CYC | Cyclopharm | 1.690 | 10% | -9% | -22% | $186,709,908 |
| PGC | Paragon Care | 0.455 | 10% | 117% | 75% | $753,163,952 |
| SHG | Singular Health | 0.097 | 9% | 21% | 131% | $18,973,496 |
| PNV | Polynovo | 2.530 | 8% | 67% | 60% | $1,635,851,620 |
| PIQ | Proteomics Int Lab | 0.940 | 8% | 16% | 9% | $127,072,636 |
| AYA | Artrya | 0.270 | 8% | 32% | 17% | $20,463,038 |
| ILA | Island Pharma | 0.068 | 8% | -10% | -30% | $8,620,162 |
| EBR | EBR Systems | 1.120 | 8% | 51% | 23% | $338,924,721 |
| CGS | Cogstate | 1.200 | 8% | -8% | -27% | $201,519,003 |
| PCK | Painchek | 0.029 | 7% | -24% | 7% | $47,439,046 |
| TRJ | Trajan Group | 1.000 | 7% | -15% | -42% | $152,216,085 |
| TRP | Tissue Repair | 0.235 | 7% | -2% | -24% | $14,209,238 |
| CSL | CSL | 307.940 | 7% | 8% | 18% | $148,774,185,150 |
| ECS | ECS Botanics | 0.017 | 6% | -29% | -29% | $23,193,892 |
| HLS | Healius | 1.528 | 6% | 11% | -45% | $1,067,366,916 |
| EMV | Emvision Medical | 2.020 | 6% | -3% | 70% | $173,412,515 |
| RAC | Race Oncology | 1.890 | 6% | 133% | 18% | $315,141,560 |
| MSB | Mesoblast | 1.140 | 6% | 300% | -13% | $1,347,305,255 |
| SHL | Sonic Healthcare | 26.640 | 5% | -16% | -25% | $12,610,604,291 |
| CMP | Compumedics | 0.315 | 5% | -19% | 70% | $56,968,728 |
| NC6 | Nanollose | 0.022 | 5% | 0% | -61% | $3,784,140 |
| BMT | Beamtree | 0.230 | 5% | 2% | -6% | $66,465,643 |
| COH | Cochlear | 337.690 | 4% | 19% | 47% | $21,864,570,708 |
| PME | Pro Medicus | 136.890 | 4% | 42% | 109% | $14,079,606,840 |
| EMD | Emyria | 0.048 | 4% | -16% | -61% | $20,040,480 |
| CUV | Clinuvel Pharmaceut. | 15.440 | 4% | 1% | -13% | $773,200,923 |
| OCC | Orthocell | 0.385 | 4% | -4% | -1% | $81,637,459 |
| FCG | Freedomcaregrouphold | 0.165 | 3% | -6% | 0% | $3,821,425 |
| REG | Regis Healthcare | 4.315 | 3% | 37% | 98% | $1,294,450,152 |
| AHX | Apiam Animal Health | 0.355 | 3% | 16% | -30% | $64,410,885 |
| IXC | Invex Ther | 0.072 | 3% | -5% | 57% | $5,411,077 |
| EBO | Ebos Group | 30.870 | 3% | -7% | -11% | $5,965,562,858 |
| OPT | Opthea | 0.375 | 3% | -18% | -29% | $409,300,039 |
| CTE | Cryosite | 1.125 | 2% | 75% | 88% | $54,910,758 |
| AFP | Aft Pharmaceuticals | 2.850 | 2% | -19% | -16% | $298,868,841 |
| SPL | Starpharma | 0.098 | 1% | -37% | -71% | $41,237,260 |
| LTP | Ltr Pharma | 0.775 | 1% | 142% | 0% | $55,620,336 |
| AMT | Allegra Medical | 0.029 | 0% | -34% | -47% | $3,468,720 |
| AC8 | Auscann Grp Hlgs | 0.040 | 0% | 0% | 0% | $17,621,884 |
| TRU | Truscreen | 0.017 | 0% | -18% | -30% | $8,841,458 |
| PAA | Pharmaust | 0.225 | 0% | 73% | 181% | $100,130,411 |
| NXS | Next Science | 0.250 | 0% | -25% | -55% | $72,923,776 |
| UBI | Universal Biosensors | 0.140 | 0% | -36% | -41% | $41,729,441 |
| GLH | Global Health | 0.110 | 0% | -4% | -12% | $6,675,697 |
| MDC | Medlab Clinical | 6.600 | 0% | 0% | 0% | $15,071,113 |
| OSX | Osteopore | 0.064 | 0% | -36% | -69% | $7,469,820 |
| EPN | Epsilon Healthcare | 0.024 | 0% | 0% | -4% | $7,208,496 |
| IDT | IDT Australia | 0.120 | 0% | 17% | 87% | $51,550,527 |
| CTQ | Careteq | 0.013 | 0% | -54% | -65% | $3,082,543 |
| AHI | Advanced Health | 0.092 | 0% | -1% | -58% | $22,733,170 |
| ANN | Ansell | 25.620 | 0% | 9% | -7% | $3,724,490,472 |
| FPH | Fisher & Paykel H. | 28.390 | 0% | 30% | 24% | $16,440,956,752 |
| ARX | Aroa Biosurgery | 0.620 | -1% | -16% | -31% | $208,245,740 |
| SNZ | Summerset Grp Hldgs | 8.880 | -1% | -13% | -6% | $2,092,252,116 |
| VIT | Vitura Health | 0.099 | -1% | -63% | -81% | $57,587,379 |
| IDX | Integral Diagnostics | 2.510 | -1% | 31% | -19% | $580,225,753 |
| ATX | Amplia Therapeutics | 0.066 | -1% | -15% | -19% | $17,926,209 |
| RHC | Ramsay Health Care | 47.500 | -2% | -4% | -16% | $10,731,831,481 |
| MYX | Mayne Pharma | 4.570 | -2% | -15% | 1% | $377,729,839 |
| MVF | Monash IVF Group | 1.315 | -2% | 0% | 10% | $514,317,989 |
| NSB | Neuroscientific | 0.039 | -3% | 0% | -63% | $5,639,590 |
| ACL | Au Clinical Labs | 2.380 | -3% | -20% | -27% | $478,346,616 |
| RGT | Argent Biopharma | 0.290 | -3% | -34% | -93% | $13,312,625 |
| AT1 | Atomo Diagnostics | 0.027 | -4% | 8% | -25% | $16,619,260 |
| PSQ | Pacific Smiles Grp | 1.815 | -4% | 24% | 18% | $292,034,947 |
| RMD | ResMed Inc. | 30.645 | -4% | 19% | -4% | $19,316,614,961 |
| IMU | Imugene | 0.056 | -4% | -47% | -45% | $404,208,614 |
| COV | Cleo Diagnostics | 0.370 | -5% | 118% | 0% | $30,192,000 |
| VLS | Vita Life Sciences.. | 2.270 | -5% | 31% | 45% | $128,026,316 |
| DOC | Doctor Care Anywhere | 0.066 | -6% | -3% | 47% | $24,198,388 |
| IPD | Impedimed | 0.065 | -6% | -54% | -63% | $131,501,105 |
| PTX | Prescient | 0.040 | -7% | -35% | -52% | $32,212,792 |
| RHY | Rhythm Biosciences | 0.061 | -8% | -47% | -88% | $15,164,402 |
| M7T | Mach7 Tech | 0.600 | -8% | -13% | -34% | $143,538,423 |
| 1AD | Adalta | 0.024 | -8% | -4% | -4% | $14,294,964 |
| MAP | Microbalifesciences | 0.160 | -9% | -18% | -47% | $73,895,576 |
| VFX | Visionflex Group | 0.005 | -9% | -39% | 9% | $7,500,000 |
| IBX | Imagion Biosys | 0.068 | -9% | -71% | -92% | $2,219,965 |
| VTI | Vision Tech Inc | 0.140 | -10% | -38% | -39% | $7,705,105 |
| PEB | Pacific Edge | 0.074 | -10% | -26% | -61% | $61,705,614 |
| UCM | Uscom | 0.017 | -11% | -59% | -64% | $4,238,857 |
| HIQ | Hitiq | 0.017 | -11% | -6% | -19% | $5,981,364 |
| HGV | Hygrovest | 0.041 | -11% | -15% | 0% | $9,043,356 |
| AVR | Anteris Technologies | 17.600 | -12% | -5% | -9% | $341,196,109 |
| IIQ | Inoviq | 0.580 | -12% | -3% | -34% | $62,857,720 |
| MEM | Memphasys | 0.007 | -13% | -46% | -57% | $9,679,237 |
| PER | Percheron | 0.080 | -13% | 38% | 23% | $72,123,598 |
| LGP | Little Green Pharma | 0.100 | -13% | -29% | -47% | $30,176,061 |
| IRX | Inhalerx | 0.026 | -13% | 4% | -26% | $4,933,941 |
| RHT | Resonance Health | 0.052 | -15% | 0% | 4% | $23,238,432 |
| MX1 | Micro-X | 0.079 | -15% | -25% | -28% | $44,783,489 |
| ACR | Acrux | 0.065 | -16% | 8% | 38% | $19,187,312 |
| CYP | Cynata Therapeutics | 0.260 | -16% | 100% | 100% | $44,907,947 |
| RCE | Recce Pharmaceutical | 0.460 | -16% | -4% | -29% | $104,229,565 |
| AVE | Avecho Biotech | 0.003 | -17% | -38% | -50% | $7,923,243 |
| LBT | LBT Innovations | 0.015 | -17% | 15% | -18% | $23,482,754 |
| 4DX | 4Dmedical | 0.520 | -17% | -19% | -23% | $215,526,236 |
| NYR | Nyrada Inc. | 0.054 | -18% | 157% | 42% | $9,657,061 |
| 1AI | Algorae Pharma | 0.009 | -18% | -10% | -44% | $15,186,553 |
| PAB | Patrys | 0.007 | -19% | -19% | -46% | $13,373,408 |
| IVX | Invion | 0.004 | -20% | 0% | -50% | $26,418,129 |
| EOF | Ecofibre | 0.039 | -22% | -63% | -77% | $14,776,082 |
| DXB | Dimerix | 0.503 | -22% | 158% | 588% | $280,607,997 |
| BP8 | Bph Global | 0.003 | -25% | -60% | -80% | $1,189,924 |
| IMM | Immutep | 0.308 | -25% | -18% | -3% | $435,783,687 |
| FRE | Firebrickpharma | 0.050 | -25% | -9% | -73% | $9,765,337 |
| CAN | Cann Group | 0.031 | -26% | -67% | -74% | $14,010,185 |
| VBS | Vectus Biosystems | 0.082 | -29% | -73% | -81% | $4,363,263 |
| BIT | Biotron | 0.035 | -30% | -65% | 3% | $30,677,367 |
| CMB | Cambium Bio | 0.400 | -33% | -43% | -60% | $4,772,402 |
| ENL | Enlitic Inc. | 0.130 | -41% | -85% | 0% | $10,232,902 |
| GTG | Genetic Technologies | 0.049 | -48% | -61% | -84% | $6,478,645 |
| TD1 | Tali Digital | 0.001 | -50% | 0% | 0% | $3,295,156 |
| ME1 | Melodiol Glb Health | 0.002 | -90% | -100% | -100% | $612,527 |
Actinogen has been rising since announcing the publication of its phase 2a biomarker trial in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, highlighting the potential efficacy of its lead drug, Xanamem, in patients with elevated blood pTau.
The study, titled “Plasma pTau181 Predicts Clinical Progression In A Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial of the 11β-HSD1 Inhibitor Xanamem for Mild Alzheimer’s Disease,” appeared in the 100th edition of the journal.
The trial involved 72 patients from the previous XanADu phase 2a trial of mild Alzheimer’s disease who had stored plasma samples and consented to the new study.
Findings revealed that patients with elevated pTau181 levels showed much faster progression compared to those with lower levels, across four key clinical endpoints.
Actinogen also announced that the final patient visit for its XanaCIDD phase 2a depression trial was completed in the UK.
The company expects to release the top-line results in early August.
The trial involved 167 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and cognitive impairment, who were given either Xanamem (10mg) or a placebo alongside their existing antidepressant therapy, or as a stand-alone treatment for those with a history of antidepressant use.
Medicinal cannabis focused Zelira jumped after the company successfully obtained patents for its HOPE 1 and HOPE 2 formulations from both the Australian Government’s Commission of Patents and the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
These patents specifically target the treatment of cluster symptoms linked to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
By securing these broad patents, Zelira strengthens its position in the central nervous system (CNS) therapeutic sector and expands its robust patent portfolio.
Looking ahead, Zelira anticipates further patent approvals within its HOPE portfolio from the USPTO later this year.
Separately, Zelira said it has promptly received confirmation from the US FDA for a meeting. The FDA provided a positive and clear written response to Zelira’s preliminary inquiries.
Building on this encouraging feedback and a productive meeting, Zelira eagerly awaits the official meeting notes from the FDA.
With these milestones achieved, Zelira says it is now prepared to advance its HOPE program towards submitting an Investigational New Drug (IND) application.
HOPE 1 and HOPE 2 formulations by Zelira Therapeutics include cannabis-based components. These formulations are part of Zelira’s efforts to develop and commercialise clinically validated cannabis medicines aimed at treating symptoms associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
EZZ rallied following the announcement that the company is expanding into the US market, having received FDA approval for nine of its food category products.
These approvals highlight the high standards of EZZ’s product formulations and manufacturing processes.
EZZ plans to use similar marketing strategies in the US as in other key markets, focusing on online marketplaces to reach consumers.
The US market is a significant opportunity, with online sales of health supplements totalling US$23.8 billion in 2023.
The approved products include EZZ Children’s Essential Minerals, EZZ Children’s Eye Health, EZZ Bone Growth Chews, EZZ Brain Focus, EZZ Magnesium Plus, EZZ Aloe Vera Probiotic Capsules, EZZ Liver Detox, EZZ Joint Energy Boost Tablets and EZZ Men’s Performance.
EZZ has also established a wholly owned US subsidiary, EZZ Life Science Holdings (USA) Inc., to manage its operations in the US market.
Read more on that here: EZZ US bound after FDA approval for nine products
HeraMED and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have signed a five-year strategic partnership focused on the care and wellbeing of women and babies.
UTS, a leading Australian university, will be HeraMED’s strategic research partner in New South Wales.
This partnership will build on HeraMED’s existing research collaborations and is led by the INSIGHT Health Research Institute at UTS, which specialises in innovative health solutions.
The goal of this partnership is to improve models of care for women and babies through research and the application of connected digital care technology. This collaboration also supports HeraMED’s strategic plan by advancing partnerships and research opportunities.
Optiscan has received ethical clearance to begin a breast cancer study, which will allow the company to showcase its new InVue precision surgery imaging platform.
The study will involve in-human imaging for breast cancer, using the InVue platform to collect real-time imaging data during surgery.
This data will help determine if the tumor has been completely removed.
The study will include 50 patients undergoing breast cancer surgery at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Frances Perry House, and Epworth Hospital.
Professor Bruce Mann, along with Dr. Laura Chin-Lenn and Dr. Anand Murugasu, will oversee the study.
Now watch: Vital Signs Podcast: Optiscan
At Stockhead we tell it like it is. While EZZ Life Science and Optiscan Imaging are Stockhead advertisers, they did not sponsor this article.
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