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Apollo Enters US$400 million
R&D reagents market with unique human proteins The market for protein reagents, used in experimental research, includes researchers in universities, pharmaceutical companies, research institutes and hospitals. Worldwide annual sales of protein reagents are estimated to be worth US$400 million per annum, with an annual growth rate of 15%. Apollo's proteins, which are distinctive because they have human attachments (post translational modifications), perform like proteins found in the human body. Proteins expressed in bacteria, insect or rodent cells have different attachments and, as a result, behave differently, both in experiments and in the human body. This can influence their effectiveness as therapeutics. Apollo's proteins will enable scientists to extend research in new directions and advance understanding of many diseases and human biological functions. "Apollo's proteins will allow researchers in Australia and around the world to perform many experiments that they have previously been unable to do by allowing them to better simulate human effects and therefore better predict clinical trial outcomes," said John Priest, Apollo's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Commercialising these proteins has in the past been technically very difficult," said Dr Alan Watts, Apollo's Scientific Director. "Apollo has developed some proprietary processes which enable it to produce these proteins commercially. We are going to market with a starting range of 50 proteins and ten protein detection kits and we are on track to continue extending the product range. Twenty more proteins are in advanced development." "Entering this market is strategically important for Apollo because it offers the advantages of R&D reagents' low regulatory barriers to entry and high margins, enhanced by low cost distribution industry practices," said Mr Priest. Researchers will be able to buy Apollo's range of human-expressed proteins directly from the company's sales office or from its sales website, www.apollocytokineresearch.com which will go live on 4 December, when the Australasian Society of Immunologists Conference opens. Apollo also has a human-expressed protein-based topical therapeutic treatment for psoriasis in a Phase 1b clinical trial. The trial has progressed successfully through the first two stages and completion of the final stage is scheduled for 20 December this year. Analysis and results of the trial are expected to be finalised in the first quarter of 2006. For more information: John Priest, Chairman and CEO Jane Cotter Apollo Life Sciences Oxygen Financial Public Relations (02) 9310 1800 (03) 9915 6342 |
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