Patrys expands anti-cancer pipeline

Melbourne-based Patrys has expanded its pipeline of antibody-based treatments for cancer with two new additions, bringing its portfolio to 13 antibodies under development.

PAT-SM4 and PAT-SM5 are antibodies that target a range of cancers, including gastric, pancreatic, lung, breast and prostate for the former, and pancreatic, lung and ovarian for the latter.

Previous studies undertaken by Patrys have shown PAT-SM4 binds to 97 per cent of 91 different tumours and has reduced the proliferation on several cancer types.

PAT-SM5 has been found to bind to 79 per cent of 89 different tumours and has also been found to inhibit proliferation.

While it's known that these antibodies attack certain cancer types, the actual targets - the proteins on the surface of the cancers that the antibodies latch on to - are yet to be discovered.

These two antibodies will now be advanced into animal trials to identify the most appropriate cancers for further experiments.

Patrys has a bank of 200 further antibodies that it hopes to develop in the future. Earlier this year, another antibody, PAT-SM3, was also added to the product pipeline.

Of the 13 antibodies in the current pipeline, eight are being investigated internally at Patrys, four are involved in a partnership with CSL, and one with Debiopharm S.A..

"Our strategy is to mature as quickly as possible by advancing several products through human clinical trials as internal programs and partnering additional products with larger companies," said Dan Devine, Patrys CEO.

"This approach offers multiple and diverse opportunities for value creation while at the same time lowering the need to develop all of our products using internal resources."

Patrys' lead product, PAT-SM6, a treatment for melanoma, is about to begin human trials.

Patrys' (ASX:PAB) share price remained steady today at 11c.