Bionomics initiates manufacturing of tumour drug

Bionomics (ASX:BNO) has commenced manufacturing activities for anticancer candidate BNC101 as the company prepares to initiate clinical trials next year.

The company has selected contract developing and manufacturing giant Lonza to produce BNC101 at a facility in the UK.

“The start of manufacturing activities for BNC101 signals a significant step towards clinical trials,” Bionomics CEO Dr Deborah Rathjen said. “We anticipate that Bionomics will commence clinical trials of BNC101 in 2014.”

Unlike most conventional cancer drugs, BNC101 is designed to target cancer stem cells. In lab trials, the candidate has demonstrated activity against cancer step cell receptor LGR5.

Bionomics is developing BNC101 as a treatment for solid tumours expressing LGR5 where there is a high rate of relapse.

“Eliminating cancer stem cells represents a new cancer treatment paradigm that could offer a distinct advantage over existing treatment strategies and a solution for resistance to chemotherapy,” Dr Rathjen said.

Besides BNC101, Bionomics is also commercialising BNC105, a vascular disruption agent (VDA) designed to shut down tumour blood vessels while leaving normal blood vessels untouched. BNC105 is in phase II clinical development as an ovarian cancer treatment.

The company last year secured a licensing deal worth up to US$345 million ($337.3 million) for antianxiety candidate BNC210.

Bionomics shares were trading 1.37% higher at $0.37 as of around 1.30 pm on Tuesday.