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- AdAlta (ASX:1AD) believes it has made a world-first breakthrough in the treatment of malaria
- AdAlta produces “antibody-like” molecules called i-body
- Researchers got i-body to ‘stick’ to malaria molecules for the first time across multiple strains
- The company is now rushing to file patents and find grant funding but shares are flat
- Shares last traded at 2.4 cents
Microcap biotech stock AdAlta (ASX:1AD) has seen its shares lift almost five per cent today on reporting a world-first malaria “breakthrough”.
That breakthrough relates to AdAlta’s in-house “i-body” tech.
In short, AdAlta says its product is the world’s first known of its type to have inhibited malaria’s spread to red blood cells, and liver cells, in the human body.
Malaria is one of the world’s leading communicable causes of death – are markets overlooking a major development?
What’s an i-body?
Described as a “human protein that belongs to the class of next-generation antibodies,” AdAlta is manufacturing “antibody-like” molecules.
The claims – big coming from a relatively obscure microcap – are not without reputational backing.
Today’s news on malaria inhibition comes from a partnership with researchers at Victoria’s La Trobe University.
However, La Trobe University Professor Mick Foley who declared the “world first” is also AdAlta’s Founding Chief Scientist.
Management comment
The Market Herald makes no implication of any nature regarding the veracity of his claims.
“We believe we have delivered a world first here,” Mr Foley said.
“Until now, no antibody-like molecule has combined the ability to bind strongly to multiple strains of malaria parasite with high potency killing.
“This variability between strains has plagued all previous attempts to produce a single antibody that can inhibit parasite invasion … the new i-body confers the real possibility we may be able to bring forward a new approach to treating malaria.”
In everyday language, AdAlta’s big success is that it got its i-body antibodies to ‘stick’ to a strain of malaria on the molecular level. Think high-powered microscopes.
AdAlta CEO Tim Oldham was more sober in echoing Foley’s enthusiasm.
“This breakthrough finding in malaria is in quite a different target class and therapeutic area from our other programs, adding further value to our intellectual property portfolio and another asset with commercial potential,” he said.
Shares last traded at 2.4 cents.
