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| CSIRO | SOLVE | Issue 7 | May 06 | |
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ARTICLE
PHARMACEUTICALS:
Biotech Jump-Start By Whitney MacDonals and Rebecca Thyer
A new industry partnership initiative will fast-track the path of biotech developments to commercialisation.
Regarded as being more efficient and effective in the way they work within the body, they may avoid many of the side-effects associated with traditional cancer treatments which use a whole antibody-based approach, early studies show. Avipep has been founded on the therapeutic antibody research initiated by CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies (CMHT) and financially backed by the Pre-Seed Fund manager Sciventures Investments. Avipep’s formation complements CMHT’s Australian Biotech Growth Partnerships program, established this year to work with biotechnology and nanotechnology companies pushing cutting-edge biotechnology to the forefront of medical science. Although a new theme in a new division – CMHT was formed last year from the amalgamation of CSIRO Molecular Science and CSIRO Health Sciences and Nutrition, merging expertise in molecular biology, chemistry and protein science – the program has already begun to achieve its goals, working with Avipep and also Avexa, another biotechnology start-up company. Program leader Dr Paul Savage says biotechnology companies are typically cash-poor and ideas-rich. “They rely critically on innovation to succeed, yet much of that innovation requires capital-intensive infrastructure and multidisciplinary scientific capabilities, which are beyond the reach of some small companies. “Strategic, collaborative R&D that links small to medium-sized enterprises with CSIRO and other research organisations will help Australia create its next generation of world-competitive companies.” Avipep is an example of that approach. Its patented antibody-like proteins offer major health advantages when compared with traditional monoclonal antibody-based therapeutics. Economically, the benefits are also strong, with respected international journal Nature Biotechnology predicting that by 2008, designer antibody products will generate more than 30 per cent of all revenues in the biotechnology sector. Traditional monoclonal antibodies are an important part of cancer therapeutics, comprising more than 25 per cent of all US Food and Drug Administration approvals of therapeutic biopharmaceuticals in 2005. They are proteins naturally produced by cells of the immune system to fight disease caused by infection or cancer. Antibodies specifically recognise antigens, molecules that initiate an immune response, and either directly block them or activate other immune mechanisms to combat the antigen’s effect. Manufactured therapeutic antibody agents are formulated and marketed to treat a variety of cancers, inflammatory diseases and viral diseases. Although the therapeutic use of antibodies has proved partially effective at fighting diseases for which they were designed, they still have limitations. Avipep technology instead uses recombinant single chain antibody fragments linked together to form multimers that recognise the same target as their parent (whole) antibodies, but with a molecular size that can be tailored to improve their therapeutic potential. CSIRO business development and commercialisation manager Dr Darren Cundy, a director of Avipep, says the design of these “dia-, tria-, or tetra-bodies”, as Avipep calls them, is expected to be very beneficial in the clinical setting. “Early results suggest that the combination of the Avibodies’ tighter antigen-binding response and their molecular size offers an advantage over a complete antibody approach,” he says. “In this way, the time it takes for Avibodies to reach their site of action is typically shorter than traditional approaches. “When there, their drug payloads can be selectively delivered to the targeted tissues, something we expect will lead to superior efficacy.” Sciventures director Dr Clement Leong is also positive about the technology and the links Avipep can form because of it, saying the technology has the potential to form the basis of a new generation of therapeutics. “While leveraging the existing experience of principal CSIRO researchers, the company also hopes to attract more development capital through the federal Commercial Ready program. This financial boost will be important in helping the company reach the market sooner.” Another association, with start-up company Avexa, illustrates the unique protein-based diagnostic and therapeutic resources and opportunities offered by CMHT. Avexa – a small yet productive Melbourne-based biotechnology company – is exploring an initial association with CMHT to further develop commercial therapeutics targeting infectious diseases. Most recently known for its research into HIV drugs, with Phase IIb clinical trials of a potential HIV drug under way, Avexa recognises the expertise that CMHT has to offer. Dr Julian Chick, Avexa’s chief executive officer, says: “CMHT offers a good pool of technical knowledge, with research expertise that has been built up over a number of years, and a high level of professionalism, making it appealing as a collaborative partner for biotechnology companies.” Dr Savage says relationships with start-ups are mutually beneficial. “Biotechnology companies can access IP from CMHT discoveries, assisting them to develop and market innovative products. Alternatively, the companies can take advantage of the extensive capabilities of CMHT to complement their in-house biotechnology research.” Importantly, patients will also benefit from the development of more effective and faster-acting therapies, with fewer side-effects. APPLICATION A new partnerships program aims to work with biotechnology and nanotechnology companies to push cutting-edge technology to the forefront of medical science BENEFIT The partnerships should fast-track industry developments For further information contact: |
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A new generation of drugs considered to
be the next step-change in the treatment
of infections and disease has become
the catalyst for a business partnership
model that allows CSIRO to help start-up
biotech companies reach their goals sooner.
A class of therapeutic agents called ‘Avibodies’
– proteins derived from antibodies, the natural
molecules the body uses to fight infections and
even cancers – has been patented by start-up
company Avipep.
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