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Melbourne, 22 May 2013: Australian infectious disease therapy and vaccine development company BioDiem Ltd (ASX: BDM) has today announced the allowance of another Japanese patent for its novel antimicrobial compound, BDM-I.
The patent covers use of BDM-I for treatment of malaria and trichomoniasis. These are both infections caused by germs known as protozoa. These claims for BDM-I have already been granted in Europe and the US.
This milestone has strengthened BioDiem’s broad BDM-I patent portfolio particularly for the treatment of common infections affecting women. In addition to the protozoal patent, an earlier patent covering BDM-I’s treatment of vulvovaginitis (infection of the vulva and vagina) has already been granted in Europe, the US and Japan. The vulvovaginitis patent covers infections caused by yeast (Candida or thrush), gonorrhea or chlamydia. Vulvovaginitis is one of the most widespread female health complaints across all demographics.
“BDM-I is active against a range of pathogenic micro-organisms including bacteria, fungi and protozoa. This latest protozoal patent coupled with our previous vulvovaginitis patent in key markets means we now have a comprehensive intellectual property set for the treatment of common female genital health complaints caused by both sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis and gonorrhea, and also general infections such as thrush. We will seek opportunities to collaborate and to explore development of BDM-I for use in these diseases,” said BioDiem’s Chief Executive Officer Julie Phillips.
BioDiem’s BDM-I development program is being conducted through collaborations with reputable partners both locally and with US research institutes, as previously announced, to establish BDM-I’s antimicrobial activity in models of infectious disease. This is a necessary step prior to development towards use in human studies. Programs are active in bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases.
The rise in resistant infections has energised investment in novel antimicrobials. The market for anti-infectives was valued at US$53 billion in 2011 and is forecast to exceed $100 billion by 2015. The antifungals market was valued at US$9.4 billion in 2010 and estimated to reach US$11.3 billion in 2014.
About BioDiem Ltd
BioDiem (ASX: BDM) is an ASX-listed biopharmaceutical company based in Melbourne, Australia developing vaccines and antimicrobials targeting treatment and prevention of infectious diseases and related cancers. The lead technology is the LAIV (Live Attenuated Influenza Virus) used for seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines and is given intranasally. The LAIV influenza vaccine can be produced using both egg-based and cell-based manufacturing methods. BioDiem’s egg-based LAIV vaccine technology is licensed to the World Health Organization as part of the Global Pandemic Influenza Action Plan to Increase Vaccine Supply in developing countries. The cell-based LAIV vaccine technology has completed a Phase II clinical trial in Europe in seasonal influenza. Serum Institute of India markets the influenza vaccine, Nasovac™ in India under a license from BioDiem. A licence has also been issued by BioDiem to China-based Changchun BCHT Biotechnology Co.
A therapeutic hepatitis vaccine project targeting hepatitis D and B is underway at the University of Canberra. BioDiem’s antimicrobial, BDM-I, is in preclinical development for fungal and bacterial diseases, also schistosomiasis, tuberculosis and protozoal infections. The SAVINE (scrambled antigen) technology is in development for tuberculosis and also EBV-related disease including nasopharyngeal cancer. BioDiem’s retinal product, BDM-E, in development for retinitis pigmentosa is available for outlicence.
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
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