Bioniche canine cancer product approved in NA

Bioniche (ASX:BNC) has received regulatory approval in the US and Canada for one of two canine oncology products in the company's pipeline.

The product, Immunocidin, is an immunotherapy for the intratumoural treatment of mixed mammary tumour and mammary adenocarcinoma in dogs.

It is based on the same mycobacterial cell wall technology from which Urocidin, a product for human bladder cancer currently at the phase III trial stage.

Canine cancer is one of the leading disease-related causes of death in dogs, accounting for approximately one in every four deaths.

Human chemotherapies are traditionally used where treatment is sought, but this can be prohibitively expensive, requires special handling and carries with it the same side effects encountered in humans.

“We are pleased to be nearing market launch for the first of two important canine oncology products in a market where there are few registered veterinary products,” Bioniche Animal Health Global President Andrew Grant said.

The second canine cancer product in development is an intravenous therapy also based on technology used for Urocidin. The treatment would likely be used in conjunction with chemotherapy.

The product has the potential to improve white blood cell count following cytopenia resulting from chemotherapy, as well as contributing to apoptosis of cancer cells.

Bioniche is a Canada-headquartered human and animal health biopharmaceutical company, which is dual-listed on the ASX. Its Australian operations are concentrated on the animal health side of the business.

The company first revealed it was commercialising the canine cancer products in May. At the time, the company stated it expects to launch Immunocidin this month.

Bioniche (ASX:BNC) shares were trading unchanged at $0.47 at the close of Wednesday's trading, up 19%.