Prima applies for animal model patent

Inflammatory diseases researcher Arthron has lodged a patent application over an animal model of arthritis with which to test potential new treatments.

The company, a subsidiary of Prima Biomed (ASX: PRR), has applied for the patent over its mouse model of arthritis where the rodents express the human Fc receptor.

"This patent will complement Arthron's existing IP portfolio in inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, giving Arthron a strong IP position and a secure base of knowledge as we go forward into clinical trials," said Prima CEO Marcus Clark.

"The innovations covered in this patent application are key achievements for our drug development program, providing further evidence for the role of the Fc receptor in inflammatory diseases."

Arthron's IP portfolio already covers the gene leading to the production of the Fc receptor, a re-engineered form of the receptor for therapeutic application, the 3D structure of the receptor, and a range of chemical templates for the design of drugs shown to inhibit the action of the receptor.

"Previous animal models in this area of research have not always been very useful indicators for developing drugs to treat the disease in humans. However, these mice show spontaneous development of arthritis," said Prof Mark Hogarth, who is a director of Prima and head of Arthron's research program.

"This means that drugs inhibiting development of the disease in such mice are much more likely to be active in humans."

He said the subsidiary was also in the process of completing analysis of a number of promising anti-arthritic compounds. This included VIB 153, which was reported in February to have blocked the development of arthritis in mice.

At the time of writing, Prima's shares were unchanged at 39 cents, its highest point in almost two weeks.