Probiomics nets govt grant

Probiomics (ASX:PCC), formerly VRI BioMedical, has received an AusIndustry Commercial Ready grant for the next stage of its molecular discovery program.

In partnership with the Rowett Institute in Scotland, the company earlier this year confirmed its proprietary probiotic organism PCC has exhibited considerable anti-inflammatory activity in a bioassay.

"We have a great head start, we know the molecules are there -- we just need to identify those moles -- the only risk we face is they are not novel," said Probiomics CEO Kim Slatyer. "If the molecules are novel, Probiomics will have valuable intellectual property which can be licensed to a major pharmaceutical company for development."

The company would not disclose the amount of the grant.

It will be matched by Probiomics and will be used to extract and fractionate the PCC-associated proteins in their native state and to screen the fractions in an in vitro inflammatory bioassay. Having identified active fractions in the bioassay, the specific molecules that are responsible for the activity will be identified through an iterative process of fractionation, 2D gel electrophoresis, and ultimately sequencing.

Probiomics has appointed Sydney-based Minomic, to conduct the molecular discovery project. Dr Brad Walsh, the CEO of Minomic, said "We are really excited to be part of this project -- we see it as a perfect example of the application of proteomic technology to the discovery of biotherapeutics -- in this case from a clinically proven probiotic bacterium. We expect that a result should be achievable within 6 months of commencement."

"The molecular discovery program will conclude in August 2006, however it is possible that the first molecules will be identified in March/April 2006," Slatyer said.

"The next stage of the program would be to move into human clinical trials and we would hope to partner with a large pharmaceutical company with the resources to conduct pre-clinical and clinical programs required by the US FDA for registration of a pharmaceutical product, including toxicity, pharmacodynamics and phase I, II and III clinical trials.

"We have developed relationships with several pharmaceutical companies as we have sought to secure distribution and marketing rights for ProTract in Australian pharmacies."

Probiomics' ProTract is a strain of Lactobacillus fermentum used for the relief of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhoea, general intestinal health and atopic dermatitis. It is currently available in Australian pharmacies.