AdAlta Ltd (ASX:1AD) says a new publication by its collaborators at University of Western Australia (UWA) and La Trobe University, published in the peer reviewed Journal of Biological Chemistry, suggests the potential for i-bodies as therapies for osteoporosis.
The clinical-stage biotechnology company, which is developing novel therapeutic products from its i-body platform says the publication further demonstrates the broad applicability of the i-body platform and opens up another area of commercial potential.
The work is the subject of a patent application.
Potential use for i-bodies
The research, led by Prof Jiake Xu at UWA, suggests the potential to use i-bodies as improved therapies for osteoporosis and other bone diseases.
Bone resorption is controlled by a cell membrane protein called RANKL.
The published data demonstrate that an i-body, ADR3, that binds to RANKL can inhibit a wide range of cell signalling pathways controlled by RANKL, reducing bone resorption in in-vitro assays.
ADR3 demonstrated stability properties suitable for a therapeutic agent.
AdAlta CEO and managing director Dr Tim Oldham said: “This work further demonstrates the potential of the i-body platform to engage diverse targets to modify disease.
“We look forward to continuing to support Professor Xu and his team as they work to discover improved therapies for osteoporosis.
“We have applied for a patent to protect this invention and are open to industry collaborations to advance this program.”
Huge US market
Osteoporosis is the result of imbalance between bone forming and bone resorption processes resulting in reduced bone density and the increased risk of fractures, particularly of the hip, spine and wrist.
In the US, EU and Japan it affects 20% of women and 5% of men aged over 50 and costs the US healthcare system more than US$25 billion per year.
Therapeutics to treat osteoporosis and reduce fracture risk generate sales of US$8 billion per year, with the leading antibody product, Prolia™ (denosumab) generating US$3.2 billion.
Side effects such as osteonecrosis of the jaw (breakdown of the jaw bone), severe hypocalcaemia (low calcium levels) and increased femur (thigh) fractures may prompt the need for the discontinuation of therapy, which in turn causes a rebound of increased bone resorption and an increased risk of fractures.
There is therefore a need for improved therapies for osteoporosis.