Antisense wins Canadian patent for IGF-I modulator

Antisense Therapeutics has secured a Canadian patent covering growth-hormone-receptor-targeting drug ATL1103.

The patent adds to the company’s portfolio of IP-protecting ATL1103, which has applications in the treatment of diseases including growth disorder acromegaly. The portfolio also includes patents from Australia, New Zealand, the US and Japan.

ATL1103 can be used to help modulate insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in the blood to potentially treat diseases associated with excessive growth hormone and IGF-I action.

One such disorder is acromegaly, characterised by abnormal growth of the organs, face, hands and feet. Acromegaly is a major cause of blindness, diabetic nephropathy and some form of cancer.

Antisense is currently involved in a phase II trial of ATL1103 in acromegaly, and the initial 24 patients have now completed a full 13 weeks of dosing. The company has enrolled two more patients into the trial, who will receive their final dosing by 19 July.

There have been no treatment-related patient withdrawals or reports of any treatment-related serious adverse events.

Antisense aims to publish results from the primary efficacy end point of the trial - percentage reduction of serum IGF-I levels from baseline one week after completion of dosing - by the end of August.