BioDiem Ltd.'s Antimicrobial Tested as Treatment for TB, Fungal Infections, in National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Program
Using the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases’ (NIAID’s) In Vitro Assessment for Antimicrobial Activity Service1, NIAID-funded contractors completed an in vitro screen to test BDM-I’s activity against a range of infectious fungi following on from a positive initial assessment with fewer types of fungi and strains.
Nearly 70 different strains of opportunistic or hospital acquired fungi with significant medical need, including some in the Cryptococcus genus which can cause pneumonia-like illness and several species of Candida which can cause bloodstream infections, have been assessed for sensitivity to BDM-I.
BioDiem will also be using NIAID’s Animal Models of Infectious Disease Service2 for studies in an animal model of tuberculosis infection. This will establish the Maximum Tolerable Dose in the animal and then test the overall effectiveness of BDM-I against TB. These studies are being conducted on the basis that primary and secondary in vitro tests were encouraging.
BioDiem Chief Executive Julie Phillips said the Company had renewed a Non-Clinical Evaluation Agreement with NIAID, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), under which the research has progressed.
“The targeted fungi are a major cause of lung and bloodstream based illnesses and pose a particular risk to patients who are immune-compromised while TB poses a significantly increasing problem for the medical community via the emergence of extensively drug resistant strains,” Ms Phillips said.
“We look forward to seeing the results of this further research to be conducted under NIAID’s preclinical services program, in which our novel antimicrobial will be assessed against these pathogens which are a major cause of human disease. BioDiem is grateful to NIAID, staff and contractors for the service and on-going support provided.”
BDM-I is a novel compound that has also shown activity against a broad range of dangerous micro-organisms including bacteria, fungi and protozoa.
*NIAID Contract Number HHSN272201100018I
** NIAID Contract Number HHSN272201100012I
1. (http://www.niaid.nih.gov/LabsAndResources/resources/dmid/invitro/Pages/invitro.aspx)
2. (http://www.niaid.nih.gov/labsandresources/resources/dmid/animalmodels/Pages/default.aspx)
About BioDiem Ltd
BioDiem (ASX: BDM) is an ASX-listed company based in Melbourne with an international focus on discovering, developing and commercialising world-class research and technology targeting infectious diseases and related cancers. BioDiem’s core technologies include the Live Attenuated Influenza Virus (LAIV), the BDM-I antimicrobial compound and the SAVINE vaccine technology platform. BioDiem has also in-licensed vaccine technologies from Australian National University and the University of Canberra with initial target indications of dengue fever and hepatitis respectively.
About BDM-I
BDM-I is a synthetic compound targeting the treatment of serious human infections. BDM-I is in the preclinical stage with outlicensing as the intended outcome. BDM-I is active against a range of pathogenic micro-organisms including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, fungi and protozoa. Key patents have been granted in Europe, Japan and the US around BDM-I’s antimicrobial activity, including activity against Plasmodium falciparum, responsible for causing the most commonly severe form of malaria, and Trichomonas vaginalis, the protozoan responsible for causing a common sexually transmitted disease named trichomoniasis.
BioDiem’s research is ongoing in partnerships with internationally recognised laboratories and commercial groups.
For additional information, please visit www.biodiem.com
Contact
Investors
Julie Phillips, Chief Executive Officer
BioDiem Ltd
Phone +61 3 9613 4100
Email jphillips@biodiem.com
Media
Shevaun Cooper
Buchan Consulting
Phone +61 3 8866 1218 / +61 (0) 421 760 775
Email scooper@buchanwe.com.au