アワビから治療薬…？

調べてみたら色んな研究があるものですね…！

オーストラリアで採れる「オースト鮑（アワビ）」を利用した研究で、この血液成分に含まれる物質の「ヘモシアニン」（Hemocyanin：エビ・カニ等の節足動物、貝やイカ・タコ等の軟体動物に見られる呼吸色素のひとつで、酸素と結びつくことで青くなる）に注目し、HSVにも効果のある薬を開発しようとしているようです。

この研究は、オーストラリア大手製薬会社Novotech、Marine Biotechnology Australia Pty Ltd （MBA）、それにthe University of Sydney3者による共同研究として進められているようで、産学共同研究の促進を目指して設立されたthe Academic Research Councilの資金的後押し（約1.5億円）を受けながら今後研究を展開していくようです。

特に気になるのが…、


MBA Managing Director Adrian Cuthbertson said: “An 18 month development study undertaken by Sydney based Protech Ltd on behalf of MBA had identified significant anti viral activity associated with the abalone blood extract and may be effective in the treatment of certain viral infections such as the Herpes simplex (HSV1 and HSV2 and Herpes zoster (Shingles).”

という部分で、「MBAの代わりに研究を行ったProtech Ltdが18ヵ月間開発研究を行った結果、オースト鮑の血液から抽出した物質の中に、HSV1、2、帯状発疹に効果があると思われる物質を特定することに成功した」ようですね！

この研究、思ったよりも進んでいるようでして…、


「この2011年にも治験に入る」


見込みのようです！


遺伝子操作で作られた薬も効果があるかもしれませんが、こういう自然の産物を基にした薬にも期待したいところですね。




HERPES ZOSTER NOVEL TREATMENT HOPE FROM TASMANIAN ABALONE GETS $1.2 MILLION BOOST

http://www.novotechmediaroom.com/2011/herpes-zoster-novel-treatment-hope-from-tasmanian-abalone-gets-1-2-million-boost/

June 15, 2011

Sydney, Australia, 23 May 2011 – Leading Australian contract clinical research company Novotech, Marine Biotechnology Australia Pty Ltd [MBA] and the University of Sydney today announced a new Herpes research collaboration backed by the Academic Research Council [ARC].

The team aims to commercialize a novel treatment for Herpes simplex and Herpes zoster utilizing an extract from the blood of black lip abalone Haliotis ruber. The project is expected to cost $1.2M in cash and in-kind support over three years.

ARC, which fosters academic-industry research collaborations, has made the funding available for research into the abalone derived haemocyanin product.

MBA, a Tasmanian based company, has been researching the novel glycoprotein with antiviral activity for the past five years. Novotech has been working with MBA for three years. The new research collaboration with the University of Sydney under the ARC agreement is underway and is expected to move to human clinical trials in mid 2011.

MBA Managing Director Adrian Cuthbertson said: “An 18 month development study undertaken by Sydney based Protech Ltd on behalf of MBA had identified significant anti viral activity associated with the abalone blood extract and may be effective in the treatment of certain viral infections such as the Herpes simplex (HSV1 and HSV2 and Herpes zoster (Shingles).”The ARC grant will also look at the development of the abalone respiratory molecule as a carrier for use in research and vaccine production.

Novotech CEO Alek Safarian said Novotech was looking forward to progressing with the research, which will run through to 2013.

“Novotech is providing regulatory and clinical advisory services to support clinical research and will design the clinical trials program to determine the proteins’ potential as the basis for a new drug,” said Safarian.

About Novotech

Headquartered in Sydney with a regional hub in Malaysia, Novotech is focused on the Asia Pacific region with operations in eight countries including India and South Korea. Novotech also has worldwide reach through the company’s network of strategic partners. Novotech, described by Frost & Sullivan as the best in its industry class for Australia based CROs, brings its global reputation for high quality service and regional expertise to the high-growth Asia Pacific area. As the largest independent CRO based in Australia, Novotech offers a level of flexibility and local knowledge that is unmatched among other contract research organizations in the region. Since 2006, Novotech has been recognized as Australia’s leading CRO by Frost & Sullivan in its Asia Pacific Excellence in Healthcare awards. For more information, please visit www.novotech-cro.com.

ABOUT MBA P/L

Marine Biotechnology Australia Pty Ltd was established with private investment funds in 2005 with a view to developing anti cancer and anti viral products from abalone extracts. An initial joint venture with the German company Biosyn Corporation looked at the use of abalone hemocyanin in the treatment of post operative bladder cancer. Whilst the results were positive it was a study conducted at The Department of Immunology at the University of Tasmania on behalf of MBA that attracted the most attention. With the aid of an Aus Industry matching dollar for dollar grant the company contracted the University of Tasmania to study the immunogenic effect of abalone hemocyanin. The first indications that abalone hemocyanin could be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of HSV arose from this study and has been the catalyst for further work by Protech and the University of Sydney. To date MBA has invested over $3million in the project with a further $1.5 million budgeted for the current financial year.

ABOUT ARC www.arc.gov.au

The ARC is a statutory authority within the Australian Government’s Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (IISR) portfolio. Its mission is to deliver policy and programs that advance Australian research and innovation globally and benefit the community.

In seeking to achieve its mission, the ARC provides advice to the Government on research matters and manages the National Competitive Grants Program (NCGP), a significant component of Australia’s investment in research and development.