Cellmid antibodies reduced kidney damage in mice

Cellmid’s (ASX:CDY) anti-midkine antibodies were able to reduce kidney damage and preserve function in an animal model of diabetic nephropathy.

Cellmid (ASX:CDY) has completed its first animal trial of its anti-midkine antibodies (MK-Ab) in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy.

The antibodies were able to reduce kidney damage and preserve kidney function in the treated animals, the company said.

Trial results show that glomerular sclerosis was below 20% in treated mice, compared to 48% for the control group. Interstitial volume was also reduced to 12% in the sample group, from 35% for untreated animals.

MK-Ab treated animals also demonstrated reduced protein leakage in the urine and significantly reduced mortality.

Diabetic nephropathy accounts for as many as 40% of all cases of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a condition that requires either dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Midkine has been discovered to play a key role in inflammation and damage in a variety of kidney diseases and injuries. Cellmid’s antibodies are also under development for the treatment of cancer, and the company plans to commercialise midkine as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis.

Cellmid also revealed on Monday that it had been granted a European patent involving the use of anti-midkine agents to treat vascular occlusive disease.

The patent specifically covers the use of short interfering RNAs to prevent midkine expression in blood vessel walls. Midkine expression is believed to contribute to vessel narrowing and obstruction. Cellmid said it now has 75 midkine-related patents.

Cellmid (ASX:CDY) shares were trading 4.35% higher at 2.4c as of around 2 pm on Thursday. Cellmid entered calendar 2013 trading at 1.6c.