Pharmaust calls for K9 volunteers for cancer drug trials

ASX-listed biotech, PharmAust, has made an urgent call for mans’ best friend to join its anti-cancer treatment trials for dogs that it is running in partnership with veterinary practices across Australia.

The company is on a recruitment drive for K9 patients as part of a clinical trial for its promising “Monepantel” anti-cancer drug that has shown some very positive results in previous trials.

The new trial will study the effectiveness of Monepantel in dogs suffering from B cell lymphoma – the most common canine cancer.

This potentially life-saving drug is approved for use by the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Science’s Animal Ethics Committee in Melbourne and the NSW Department of Primary Industry’s Animal Care and Ethics Committee in Sydney.

Preliminary findings from phase I trials in dogs saw some very positive results, with a notable lack of adverse side effects and most importantly, a reduction in tumours.

Dogs are eligible to participate in the trial if they have had no prior anti-cancer treatments, have a normal organ function and are generally exhibiting signs of feeling well.

Importantly, dogs participating in the trial may be able to stay on the drug for longer periods than conventional treatments, which is significant, as relapse is known to occur within the first six to twelve months.

According to the company, 1 in 4 dogs die of cancer, with 6 million dogs diagnosed annually in the US alone.

For more information or to make a patient referral, PharmAust can be contacted as below;

• Melbourne: vet-sa-medicine@unimelb.edu.au -- (03) 9731 2054
• Sydney: arh@arhvets.com -- (02) 9758 8666
• Perth: referral@wavets.com.au -- (08) 9412 5700

Is your ASX listed company doing something interesting ? Contact : matt.birney@businessnews.com.au