PriceSensitive

PharmAust (ASX:PAA) produces demonstration batch of monepantel

Health Care
ASX:PAA      MCAP $86.90M
21 October 2021 10:55 (AEST)
PharmAust (ASX:PAA) - Chief Scientific Officer, Richard Mollard

Source: PharmAust

PharmAust (PAA) has reached out to COVID-19 trial sites following production of a demonstration batch of monepantel.

Monepantel (MPL) is PharmAust’s lead drug candidate which has been shown to have anticancer activity in both humans and dogs.

A 500 gram demonstration batch of MPL was produced and was shown to have a greater purity profile than previous batches used in a Phase 1 trial in humans and the Phase 2a and 2b trials in dogs with B cell lymphoma.

The demonstration batch has been delivered to the US ahead of being made into a smaller tablet design. These smaller tablets will be used in the FightMND and COVID-19 trials in humans.

FightMND looks to find effective treatments for Motor Neuron Disease (MND). Since 2014, FightMND has invested more than $63 million into MND research and care equipment to improve the lives of those suffering from the disease.

With the batches manufactured, PharmAust has now set its sights on scaling up a GMP batch, with trials set to begin around April 2022.

The company said it was now in final negotiations with organisations that will provide the necessary MND trial services. This will involve clinical oversight, regulatory oversight, monitoring, pharmacokinetic analysis and pharmacodynamic analysis.

“Despite the delays incurred in manufacture due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, PharmAust remains on track to recommence clinical trials in humans with a newly designed tablet, suitable for dosing regimens in people with Covid19 and motor neurone disease,” PharmAust’s Chief Scientific Officer Richard Mollard said.

PharmAust shares are trading 3.09 per cent up at 10 cents at 10:52 am AEDT.  

Related News