Melbourne, 14 February 2013: Australian infectious disease therapy and vaccine development company BioDiem Ltd (ASX: BDM) says its novel antimicrobial (BDM-I) will enter a new phase of US Army-backed research to assess its potential as a biological weapons counter-measure.
BioDiem announced today it has renewed its Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID).
The USAMRIID has already undertaken in vitro studies which have assessed BDM-I’s activity against a range of disease-causing agents which pose a biological weapons threat, including Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax) and Yersinia pestis (Plague).
BioDiem Chief Executive Julie Phillips said the outcome of this early-stage research was positive, and the research could now move to animal-based studies.
“This is important work that is broad in scope, but is focused on finding new ways to combat these highly infectious pathogens which pose a biological weapons risk,” Ms Phillips said.
“BioDiem is grateful to USAMRIID and staff for the service and on-going support provided.”
The next phase of research will include:
• Studies in an animal model to confirm the available drug concentration provided by different routes of administration of BDM-I, and
• Efficacy evaluation in an animal model for a number of highly infectious pathogens. BDM-I is a novel compound that has also shown activity against a broad range of dangerous micro-organisms including bacteria, fungi and protozoa.
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.
About US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases
USAMRIID’s mission is to conduct basic and applied research on biological threats resulting in medical solutions (vaccines, drugs and diagnostics) to protect our Nation’s armed forces, and its research often has applications that benefit society as a whole. As the lead military medical research laboratory for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Joint Science and Technology Office for Chemical and Biological Defense, USAMRIID plays a key role in national defense and in infectious disease research. USAMRIID is a subordinate laboratory of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command.
[The information contained in this press release does not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the Government and no official endorsement should be inferred.]
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
