With the expansion of canine trials of its Monepantel treatment for B-cell lymphoma to the US in May, PharmAust is now presenting its findings to an audience of peers.

Dr Catherine Chan, the vet oncologist at the Jindalee Veterinary Hospital whose Veterinary Specialist Services division have been a trial centre in PharmAust’s B Cell Lymphoma Canine Trials, will present at the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) Annual Scientific Conference.

Science Week is the major veterinary conference in Australia and New Zealand attracting veterinarians from around the world with cutting edge scientific presentations.

PharmAust’s (ASX:PAA) once daily oral anti-cancer tablet was proven to be safe in healthy, tumour bearing and lymphoma dogs during Phase I clinical trials

During Phase 2a and Phase 2b studies, MPL demonstrated effective anti-cancer activity, which supports continued development into Phase 3 registration trials.

PharmAust is currently testing four different doses and will be carried out over a 28-day period at sites in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Auckland and the US state of Texas, and will require greater than 18 clinical benefits in 46 dogs to meet the targeted endpoint.

Monepantel demonstrating benefits

While clinical studies are essential to establish the efficacy of the drug in treating B-cell lymphoma, the company’s previous work has already provided some indications of success.

Eight dogs that were treated post-trial using ongoing MPL in combination with standard of care, prednisolone, have to date provided median and average survival times of approximately 140 days (or 20 weeks).

This is more than double the life expectancy than the current standard of care (palliative steroid therapy) that typically provides for 6-8 week survival in association with a range of adverse events.

Furthermore, the dog’s owners have reported increased quality of life of their pets after using the combination treatment – and that’s what it’s all about.

Growth of vet cancer market 

According to the RSPCA, Australia is home to 24 million domestic animals. Dogs were present in 38% of homes and cats took up 29%. Overall 62% of households have some domestic animal.

Our pets are living longer and this is why the pet care and animal health market in Australia and the world is booming.

The global veterinary oncology market size was estimated at USD $207.5 million in 2021 and is anticipated to witness a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.1% from 2022 to 2030. The increasing pervasiveness of cancer in the pet population coupled with the rising adoption of veterinary cancer therapy as a treatment method is primarily propelling market growth.

Growing expenditure on animal healthcare in developed economies due to rising willingness to spend on pet healthcare by owners and initiatives by the government for veterinary cancer treatment are major factors driving the market.

PharmAust Executive Chairman Dr Roger Aston told Stockhead: “15% to 20% of dog owners pay $8,000-$10,000 for a full course of chemotherapy that gives 9-12 months of poor quality survival advantage over untreated. In comparison, MPL gives 4-6 month survival advantage over prednisolone only (standard of care) and with optimisation we hope to push this out up to 6-8 months of high quality survival.”

PharmAust is in confidential exploratory discussions with several leading global pharmaceutical companies to co-develop and commercialise MPL for the treatment of veterinary cancers.

A licensing deal typically involves an upfront cash payment in recognition of the investment in developing the drug, as well as a royalty on sales of the drug plus additional milestone payments for successful achievement of registration milestones

Such a deal would mark a significant commercial outcome for PharmAust and its loyal shareholders.

 

Pic Supplied: Pet dogs in the MPL tablet phase 2 trial enjoying time with their owners. 

This article was developed in collaboration with PharmAust, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.  

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

 

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