Influenza Antibody Spray Success: Opens New Approach To Respiratory Disease Control

Main Category: Flu / Cold / SARS
Also Included In: Immune System / Vaccines;  Respiratory / Asthma;  Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Article Date: 26 Aug 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Anadis Limited (ASX: ANX), a research driven biopharmaceutical company focused on polyclonal antibodies to address human disease, announced important progress concerning its accelerated program to develop a nasal antibody spray to provide immediate post-exposure prophylaxis against a range of influenza viruses.

Working with an animal influenza challenge model in the laboratory of Professor Loreena Brown at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, scientists successfully completed a series of proof-in-principal experiments. These experiments using an animal model designed specifically to test influenza prevention and treatment, demonstrated the ability of Anadis' all natural antibody nasal spray formulation to "switch-off" virus replication at the respiratory tract lining. The studies indicated a significant impact of single and daily dose of the Anadis polyclonal antibodies in reducing the likelihood of infection and reducing the severity of those infected with influenza.

Scientists from the University of Melbourne and Anadis teams are in the process of submitting data for publication and intend to present the details at an upcoming influenza control conference.

Anadis CEO Dr. Zeil Rosenberg stated, "Our new topical spray approach to protecting individuals during seasonal or epidemic flu outbreaks is a radical new paradigm to protect people from these influenza viruses. The fact that the Anadis antibodies are all natural and topically applied means we may have a very safe and effective new approach to provide immediate protection to all persons and be able to address multiple virus strains. We know from current failures in vaccine protection among many persons this past year that indeed novel approaches like this are urgently needed."

Anadis VP for Business Development Oren Fuerst further noted, "This work supports an aggressive commercial strategy expanding our intellectual property position in this unique area. Our approach shows for the first time a cost effective method of fighting influenza using antibodies. We plan to move on our own and with partners to bring this revolutionary product to market."

Anadis' polyclonal antibodies are obtained using its own proprietary approach to vaccinating dairy cows and then leveraging advanced dairy industry methods collect first-milking colostrum under GMP conditions, where it is further formulated as a spray dried powder, for later reconstitution as an all natural nasal spray.

Anadis