Trial shows Patrys melanoma antibody safe

Patrys Limited (ASX:PAB) has successfully concluded a phase I trial of its lead antibody, PAT-SM6, as a melanoma treatment.

The Melbourne-based company said there had been no significant adverse affects recorded during the safety and tolerability trial of the anti-cancer antibody.

Full results are scheduled to be published in March, including measures of anti-tumour activity – a secondary goal of the trial.

Although the doses used in the trial were significantly below the expected therapeutic levels, early results from the trial showed that PAT-SM6 was present in biopsy samples taken post-treatment, so the results may provide early indications of the efficacy of the treatment.

Patrys is also currently planning to conduct a clinical trial of PAT-SM6 in patients with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.

According to Patrys CEO Dr Marie Roskrow, with the melanoma trial wrapped up, the company will now concentrate on planning for this second trial.

The multiple myeloma trial is expected to commence in April. The phase I/IIa trial will be undertaken at the University of Würzburg, Germany, over a 12 month period.

PAT-SM6 is the first announced clinical product to target GRP78, a protein found on the surface of cancer cells which influences cancer cell survival, growth and metastasis.

Patrys (ASX:PAB) shares were trading 2.5% lower at $0.039 as of 3:30pm on Thursday, after a strong 14.29% gain the day before.