Antisense moves into development with growth hormone compound

Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) has advanced its acromegaly project from research to development after seeing efficacy in animal studies for its antisense compound ATL1103, which targets the growth hormone receptor.

The new compound targets the growth hormone receptor (GHr), resulting in reduced growth hormone (GH) activity and lowered levels of serum IGF-1 -- the primary marker for acromegaly.

"We are very pleased to be able to announce that we have had success in our research pipeline with a very high quality project," said Antisense CEO Mark Diamond.

Acromegaly is a chronic disease that results from benign pituitary tumours, which trigger over-expression of growth hormone (GH) leading to increased levels of circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). This results in abnormal growth of the face, hands and feet and enlargement of organs including the liver, kidney and heart. Treatment usually requires surgery and/or drug therapy to normalise levels of GH and IGF-1.

"We were able to show significant suppression [of serum IGF-1] in animal studies," Diamond said. "Normalisation of IGF-1 is the treatment goal for acromegaly."

While full details of the animal studies have not yet been released, Diamond said that the study results were comparable to results achieved using standard acromegaly therapeutics pegvisomant and octrotide in equivalent animal models.

The compound may also have applications as a treatment for some eye disorders including diabetic retinopathy and the wet form of age-rated macular degeneration.

The company will now accelerate formal pre-clinical safety and toxicology studies on ATL1103, with arrangements in process to have collaboration partner Isis Pharmaceuticals manufacture bulk quantities of the drug for use in these studies during the first half of this calendar year.

Once the drug is in clinical trials, Diamond said, he expects that early confirmation of the utility of the treatment will be obtained, as serum IGF-1 levels provide an easily measured marker of efficacy.

Further details of the animal studies will be announced at the International GH-IGF Symposium to be held in Queensland in mid-April.

Antisense's share price rose nearly 8 per cent yesterday to close at AUD$0.14 after heavy trading. At the time of writing the share price had risen a further $0.005 to $0.145.