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Only trialled on mice, may not reach the market until 5-10 years time.

But could be another move in the right direction.


Inflammatory diseases drug developed 08 February 2006

Australian scientists say they have developed a drug that may help prevent and reverse debilitating inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.

The new drug, developed by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, also could help sufferers of multiple sclerosis (MS), asthma, sepsis, heart attack and psoriasis as well as transplant patients.

Millions of people around the globe are affected by diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, a severe form of arthritis.

The new drug, which has been trialled on mice with success, could ease pain and improve wellbeing for sufferers, the head of Garvan's Arthritis and Inflammation program, Charles Mackay, said.

Scientists have identified the mechanism by which a white blood cell enters a tissue, releasing toxic substances and causing damage in the joints.

The drug, once injected, works within hours to completely return a diseased tissue back to a normal tissue.

"The drug developed is highly effective at inhibiting disease in animals," Professor Mackay said.

"It not only completely prevents disease, but in animals that already have disease it completely reverses the disease process.

"The turnaround ... is quite remarkable."

But he stopped short of describing the breakthrough as a cure.

"Cure's a very strong word," Prof Mackay said.

"The disease does come back, as in many chronic inflammatory diseases." Executive Director of the Garvan Institute John Shine described the development as a "major milestone".

"It's another great example of the excellence of Australian medical research across the board ... ," Professor Shine said.

The next step now is a clinical human trial.

This is likely to be 18 months away and could take five to 10 years.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald © 2006 AAP

and here's a little more about the actual drug (which I suppose will be part of "pre-clinical" on the list)



Neutrazumab - a C5a Receptor antagonist
G2’s lead programme is the development of an anti-C5aR receptor antibody for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. This well validated receptor binds the complement component C5a, one of the most potent inflammatory mediators in the body. C5aR is essential for a wide range of inflammatory reactions, such as in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Asthma, COPD, sepsis and reperfusion injuries. C5aR is perhaps one of the most promising targets for inflammatory diseases, but there are few effective drugs targeting this receptor. However, monoclonal antibodies represent a highly promising approach because of their safety and pharmacokinetic characteristics.

G2 has developed several murine antibodies which completely block C5a activity and prevent chemotaxis. They have also been validated in vivo and show near-complete reversal of inflammation in animal models. These antibodies therefore represent an ideal anti-inflammatory drug candidate with wide applicability coupled with the low toxicity typical of antibody therapies.

G2 is the only company to have developed antibodies to C5aR with such a strong anti-inflammatory effect. The company intends to take the best performing candidates into pre-clinical development.

G2 expects to develop anti-C5aR therapies for a number of additional indications, including transplantation and other reperfusion injuries (particularly cardiovascular indications such as Acute Myocardial Infarction and Coronary Artery Bypass Graft), Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Sepsis, and is considering a collaborative approach to some or all of these indications.

http://www.g2therapies.com.au/c5ar.htm