Perth biotech’s stroke drug in nationwide trial

Perth biotech company Argenica Therapeutics’ drug, which is designed to reduce brain tissue death following a stroke, will be administrated at two local hospitals in a nationwide trial.

The trial of ASX-listed Argenica’s ARG-007 drug was announced this morning alongside Medical Research Minister Stephen Dawson.

The phase two clinical trial aims to treat patients with the most common type of stroke, which is caused by a blood vessel clot to part of the brain, Argenica said.

Discovered in Perth and researched for more than a decade at the Perron Institute, the drug is designed to protect brain tissue from dying until blood flow can be restored to reduce further brain injury and long-term disability.

Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner and Fiona Stanley hospitals are among the 10 hospitals set to be involved in the double-blind trial, which will enroll 92 patients.

Argenica said it was hoped that ARG-007 would eventually be administered by first responders, if the drug was approved.

The state government said the estimated economic cost to treat stoke victims is expected to reach $183 million by 2023. Stokes are one of the leading causes of death and disability, globally.

Argenica Therapeutics managing director and neuroscientist Liz Dallimore said the trial of ARG-007 was the culmination of more than a decade of Australian research work.

She said its outcome could prove life-changing for stroke patients across the globe.

“Because our drug is ‘neuroprotective’ essentially what we are trying to do is hibernate the brain cells and protect them from dying until patients can receive treatment to remove the clot,” Dr Dallimore said.

“What many people don’t realise is that as soon as a blood vessel is blocked in the brain, brain cells start to die almost immediately.

“Around 1.9 million brain cells are dying every minute that blood flow is stopped, and that’s why the time frame for receiving a potentially life-saving treatment is so critical.

“During our trial, we can administer ARG-007 once someone suspected of having an acute ischaemic stroke is diagnosed in the emergency department. We will then assess how well our drug is at protecting brain cells from further damage.”

Mr Dawson said it was great to see companies like Argenica progress through to clinical trials with a drug that had the potential to revolutionise how a stroke was treated.

"Global pharmaceutical companies will be watching this trial very closely as this drug could be effective against other illnesses, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease,” he said.

"The Cook government is proud to be able to financially support innovative ideas and medical research masterminded here in Perth."

Dr Dallimore echoed the point around attracting global interest.

“Should the trial meet some or all of its end points, Argenica Therapeutics and ARG-007 are likely to garner significant commercial interest from large pharmaceutical companies,” she said.

“Because this molecule works through a number of different mechanisms, it could be effective against many different illnesses.”