very new trial looking for patients (Australia): only 5 patients so far

 ASX Release 24th February 2015 

FURTHER UPDATE ON NEW ANTICANCER DRUG, PPL-1, IN HUMAN TRIAL AT ROYAL ADELAIDE HOSPITAL 

PharmAust Limited (“PharmAust”) (ASX: PAA & PAAO) is pleased to report that a further patient analysed for levels of p70S6K tumour marker, has also shown a meaningful reduction following oral treatment with PPL-1. Furthermore, preliminary analysis of pharmacokinetic serum levels of PPL-1 in patients receiving the drug at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) has confirmed absorption following oral dosing and indicates that PPL-1 is active in the high nanomolar range which is similar to other cytotoxic drugs used during chemotherapy. 

PharmAust’s Executive Chairman Dr Roger Aston said “Even though we are dealing with small numbers of patients in our analyses so far, it is exciting to see that we have achieved a statistically significant drop in p70S6K levels in white blood cells in the 5 patients examined so far (p<0.001 at day 3 of dosing). It is furthermore encouraging that the reduction in the p70S6K tumour marker appears to correlate with blood levels of the drug. The Clinical Research staff monitoring the trial, have not noted any serious adverse events further supporting the low side-effect profile of PPL-1”. 

p70S6K is considered as a promising marker and indicator of the aggressive behaviour and prognosis of carcinomas. Overexpression of p70S6K is generally associated with aggressive disease and poor prognosis among cancer patients. Patients with elevated p70S6K often have poor survival rates and metastases. Reductions of p70S6K in blood cells may reflect blocks to tumour progression. 

PPL-1 is an approved veterinary drug launched in recent years by one of the leading global animal health corporations for the treatment of parasitic diseases in sheep. PharmAust, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Pitney Pharmaceuticals Pty Limited, owns patents on the use of PPL-1 in cancer and malignant disease. The drug will be potentially administered to patients suffering from diverse cancers. Recruitment will include selection of patients suffering from lung, pancreas, oesophageal, gastric, colorectal, ovarian, breast, prostate, liver, sarcoma, lymphoma, and melanoma. In animals and more recently in our studies in man, PPL-1 has an exceptionally low toxicity profile. 

The cancer chemotherapy market (estimated at $42 billion/annum)* is currently the fastest growing sector within the pharma industry, mainly driven by the identification of new potential therapeutic targets. This growth is further fuelled by the magnitude of the disease worldwide, currently estimated at more than 25 million people suffering from cancer globally, and an estimated 5 million people dying each year from the disease. 

*Reference: Research and Markets.com accessed 14th February 2014: http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/335548/chemotherapy_market_insights_20062016_a&nbsp;

For further details please contact: 

Dr Roger Aston 

Executive Chairman 

PharmAust Limited 

Tel: 0402 762 204 

http://www.pharmaust.com&nbsp;