In a recent interview, Noxopharm Ltd (ASX:NOX, OTC:NOXOF)’s CEO Dr Gisela Mautner joins Proactive alongside Associate Professor Michael Gantier from the Hudson Institute of Medical Research to discuss their partnering on the SOF-VAC mRNA vaccine enhancer.
Introducing the partnership, Mautner said: "We formally established our strategic partnership with the Hudson Institute in November 21 via our Pharmorage subsidiary, basically as a way of diversifying our portfolio and gaining exposure to the mRNA therapeutics field.”
Through this venture, Noxopharm secures exclusive licensing rights to pioneering technologies produced by Gantier’s team that are pertinent to the development of next-generation mRNA vaccines and medications.
Circumvents side effects
Gantier stated that one of the key issues with mRNA therapeutics, such as vaccines, is circumventing toxic inflammation.
Roughly 60% of patients experience side effects like headaches, fever, or arm swelling post-mRNA vaccine administration.
Gantier’s lab spearheads research into the interaction between mRNA therapeutics and molecular immune sensors.
“Rock solid” patent
In terms of intellectual property, both entities have fortified their positions.
Mautner added: "We have a robust patent protection strategy in place to protect our assets.
"And we are closely working with a very well-regarded and highly sophisticated team of team of patent attorneys who look after our interests in this area."
“Our approach is to protect our assets from the ground up. And we want our IP protection to be as rock solid as possible.
Burgeoning sector
This collaboration aims not just to catapult Noxopharm into the burgeoning RNA therapeutics sector.
The sector is valued at around 42 billion US dollars in 2021 and predicted to surge to some 128 billion US dollars by 2030, but also to pioneer new medications for inflammation-centric diseases, including psoriasis, arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.
With several pivotal studies in progress, the partners express optimism about unveiling further medical innovations in the coming months.