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Meditech Clinical Data
Published In International Cancer Journal
Thursday, 19 May 2005:
Melbourne, Australia - Meditech Research Ltd (ASX: MTR), a
biotechnology company developing new cancer therapies, today announced that the
results from two of its Phase I clinical trials were published in the latest
edition of Chemotherapy.
The paper 'Phase I and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Intravenous Hyaluronic Acid
in Combination with Doxorubicin or 5-Fluorouracil', describes the Phase I study
of two HyACT(TM) drugs, HyDOX(TM) and HyFIVE(TM). Patients treated in these
studies suffered from no unexpected adverse reactions, demonstrating that
hyaluronic acid (HA) could be safely administered in combination with commonly
used anti-cancer drugs. Although demonstration of efficacy was not the primary
objective, anti-tumour responses were noted in several patients.
Chemotherapy is an international cancer journal publishing research and clinical
studies on innovative anti-cancer drugs with specific focus on the efficacy,
toxicity and interaction of these drugs. Papers selected for the journal offer
data about new drugs in single and combined applications in the treatment of
cancer.
"The publication of clinical trial results of two of our drugs in a peer
reviewed journal validates the scientific and clinical aspects of our platform
technology," said Meditech's Research Director, Associate Professor Tracey
Brown. "To demonstrate that we could safely administer high doses of HA
intravenously to patients was a critical step in the development of our HA-based
drug formulations."
"Publications like this are a key component of our strategic objective to raise
international awareness of our technology platform ," said Dr Ian Nisbet,
Meditech's Chief Executive Officer.
An abstract of the article can be viewed at www.karger.com/che; reference Vol.
51, No. 2-3, 2005.
A Quarterly Investor Update teleconference has been scheduled for Wednesday, 8th
June 2005 at 11.30am (AEST). For information about how to participate in the
call, or for more information about the company please visit
www.mrl.com.au .
About Meditech
Meditech is an Australian biotechnology company focused on developing and
commercialising drugs that improve the health and quality of life of patients
with cancer and other chronic diseases. The company has internationally
recognised expertise in carbohydrate-based therapies, particularly products
based upon the glycosaminoglycan, hyaluronic acid. Building on this expertise,
Meditech has created its patented HyACT(TM) (Hyaluronic Acid Chemotransport
Technology) platform which it is applying to the development of improved
formulations of cancer drugs. The lead product from the HyACT(TM) platform is
HyCAMP(TM). In addition to HyCAMP(TM), Meditech has taken the anti-cancer
products HyDOX(TM) (doxorubicin and hyaluronic acid) and HyFIVE(TM)
(5-fluorouracil and hyaluronic acid) into clinical testing.
About HyCAMP(TM)
HyCAMP(TM) is Meditech's proprietary formulation of irinotecan (CamptosarR)
with hyaluronic acid, which is currently in Phase II clinical testing in
metastatic colorectal cancer patients. It has previously been tested in a
12-patient, uncontrolled Phase I study, the interim results of which were
presented at the 29th Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology
(ESMO) in October 2004. Although the number of patients in the Phase I study was
not sufficient to draw any firm conclusions, treatment with HyCAMP(TM) showed a
trend towards improved safety with maintained efficacy.
HyCAMP(TM) is the subject of a development and commercialisation agreement with
Danish company Novozymes Biopolymer A/S. Novozymes Biopolymer is a 100% owned
subsidiary of Novozymes A/S, the biotech-based world leader in enzymes and
microorganisms. With its head office in Denmark, Novozymes employs more than
3,900 people in 30 countries. (For further company information visit Novozymes
on the Internet at www.novozymes.com.) Under this agreement, Meditech and
Novozymes are collaborating in the development of advanced formulations of
HyCAMP(TM). In addition, Novozymes is providing funding for the Phase II
clinical study. Meditech has the right to commercialise intellectual property
arising from the collaboration in the fields of human and veterinary
pharmaceuticals, while Novozymes has the commercialisation rights for cosmetics
and nutraceuticals. For products developed under this agreement, Novozymes will
be the exclusive supplier of hyaluronic acid.
For more information:
Dr Ian Nisbet, CEO
Phone: (03) 9296 2027
Mobile: 0431 709 121
Associate Professor Tracey Brown, Research Director
Phone: (03) 9905 3760
Mobile: 0 412 010 104
www.mrl.com.au
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