GroPep wins patent for infertility drug

GroPep's infertility drug program has received a boost recently with the issue of a patent covering the compound, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta).

The patent rights to the drug are owned by US company OSI Pharmaceuticals, which has an agreement with GroPep giving the South Australian company worldwide exclusive rights for infertility applications.

GroPep is working with researchers Dr Sarah Robertson and Dr Kelton Tremellen at the University of Adelaide to develop a topical drug based on TGF-beta as a treatment for recurrent miscarriage, a condition that affects 170,000 women in the US annually, with a potential market value worldwide of US$750 million. TGF-beta is found in high concentrations in semen and is thought to prevent the mother's immune system to tolerate paternally derived foetal proteins.

If the drug is successfully developed, the University stands to gain from royalties under a development agreement with GroPep.

GroPep expects to complete pre-clinical development of the drug, PV903, this year, with a Phase I trial planned to start in the first half of 2004.

CEO Robert Finder said that the company was in discussions with a number of pharmaceutical companies as potential partners for the project. Having the patent would strengthen GroPep's position, he said.