Metabolic to advance cone shell venom drug

Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP) expects to be able to submit an application for a Phase I clinical trial of its marine cone shell venom-derived pain drug ACV1 by the end of the year, after pre-clinical data demonstrated the activity of the drug against neuropathic pain.

According to CEO Chris Belyea, the Phase I clinical trial is anticipated to start in the first quarter of 2005.

An independent pre-clinical study in an animal model of neuropathic pain has confirmed that the compound, which was in-licensed from Prof Bruce Livett and colleagues at the University of Melbourne in September last year, has pain-relieving properties. The study involved measurement of painful sensations from touching, suggesting the drug might have utility against neuropathic pain associated with type 1 diabetes and shingles, which generally does not respond to standard analgesics such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

And a study conducted by collaborators in Germany on human nerve cells that had been surgically removed and tested in an in vitro model showed that, as expected, ACV1 was able to fully block the relevant excitations.

Belyea said the pre-clinical studies would continue, and the company expected to be able to report on results, including a one-month long formal toxicity study, in the third quarter. He said the company had benefited from its experience in developing its obesity drug AOD9604, resulting in a faster development path for ACV1.