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- PharmAust (PAA) has engaged the Brisbane Animal Hospital for its Phase II anti-cancer trial in dogs with B cell lymphoma
- B cell lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in dogs and accounts for 15 to 20 per cent of all cancer diagnosis in dogs
- The company has also recruited Dr Kathleen O’Connell from the Animal Referral Hospital in Brisbane to participate in the trial
- The company now has five sites and trials spanning across Australia
- PharmAust is up 4.88 per cent and shares are currently trading for 8.6 cents
PharmAust (PAA) has engaged the Brisbane Animal Hospital for its Phase II anti-cancer trial in dogs with B cell lymphoma.
Along with trial manager Dr Claire Cannon, PharmAust has contracted Dr Kathleen O’Connell at the Animal Referral Hospital in Brisbane to participate in the clinical trial.
Dr Kathleen is an experienced veterinary oncologist specialist and has an interest in animal cancers such as lymphoma.
PharmAust was awarded the licence to undertake part of the trial in Queensland by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
With this Brisbane site, PharmAust has an established national network of five sites with one in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, and two in Sydney.
Recruitment is continuing with different breeds of dogs with B cell lymphoma with a number of dogs already beginning treatment and some already completing the full course of treatment.
The release of trial data will depend on the drug success rate across also participating sites and when sufficient dogs complete treatment.
Canine lymphoma is similar to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in people. It’s so similar that veterinarians and doctors use almost the same chemotherapy protocols to treat it.
Lymphoma is a term used by doctors to describe a group of cancers that stem from lymphocytes. These are a type of white blood cell that helps the immune system fight off infections.
It is one of the most common canine cancers, with more than 30 different types recorded. According to VCA Hospitals, it accounts for 15 to 20 per cent of all cancer diagnosis in dogs.
In September 2019, PharmAust received its GMP (good manufacturing practice) grade MPL tablets.
MPL (monepantel) is an oral aminoacetonitrile compound that modulates the mTOR pathways which are recognised as a key driver of cancer.
The tablet has been shown to be well-tolerated, reduce tumours and increase the quality of life in canines with cancer.
“PharmAust is delighted to include Dr O’Connell and her team at ARH Brisbane in the trial,” Chief Scientific Officer Dr Richard Mollard said.
“Having the ARH Brisbane team join the trial brings additional expertise and aims to realise outcomes sooner. PharmAust is also pleased to have the opportunity to treat pet owners’ dogs with B cell lymphoma in and around the Brisbane area,” he added.
PharmAust is up 4.88 per cent and shares are trading for 8.6 cents at 1:15 pm AEDT.
