Starpharma and Anadis to develop biodefence antibodies

Melbourne biotechs Starpharma (ASX:SPL, USOTC:SPHRY) and Anadis are teaming up to develop a two-pronged defence against biowarfare agents like pneumonic plague and anthrax.

By combining Starpharma's giant dendrimer molecules with Anadis' polyclonal antibodies, the two companies hope to develop aerosol sprays that, when inhaled, will keep deadly airborne pathogens and asthma-inducing allergens at bay.

Anadis CEO Conor Graham said the companies began considering the prophylactic possibilities of combining their technologies around 12 months ago.

Anadis employs a technique called hyperimmunisation to induce dairy cows to produce polyclonal antibodies against selected pathogens in their 'first milk', or colostrum.

Antibodies to anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) and plague (Yersinia pestis) antigens would bind to inhaled spores, trapping them before they could infect the cells lining the respiratory tract, and earmarking them for destruction by the immune system.

Simultaneously, Starpharma's giant multi-armed dendrimer molecules would provide a second line of protection by sealing off the various receptors exploited by the microbes to infect respiratory cells.

Graham said Anadis had been awarded a substantial grant by the Commonwealth Department of Science and Technology in February last year to develop respiratory protection agents. The joint project with Starpharma would form part of this work.

Anadis' biodefence research also being funded by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Centre of Excellence in Biodefence and Emerging Infectious Diseases (MARCE) in Baltimore, Maryland.

"The threat of terrorism, as well as exposure to pathogens caused by natural disasters such as the Asian tsunami, have created an urgent need for new technologies that offer fast-acting prevention or treatment," Graham said.

"Combining the Starpharma and Anadis technologies offers a unique solution to these human health crises."

Graham said the same approach could also be used to protect the lungs against airborne allergens that caused lung inflammation and asthma.

Starpharma CEO John Raff said both companies have substantial research programs in respiratory health, so the partnership was a natural one.

"By combining Anadis' technologies for large-scale antibody production and processing with Starpharma's dendrimer nanotechnology we believe there is the possibility to create highly potent 'molecular mops' to capture toxins or infectious agents before they cause harmful effects," Raff said.