Cancer franchiseBackgroundArana has a number of anti-cancer compounds in its pipeline that warrant further development, based on the results from discovery stage and pre-clinical studies.The market for all anti-cancer drugs is worth more than US$20 billion annually. The market for a drug against any one solid tumour is estimated to be approximately US$500 million in per annum sales. The lung cancer market alone is estimated to be worth US$3 billion annually, and the market for melanoma is worth around US$1 billion. ART104 - in advanced discovery stageART104 is an antibody against a novel cancer target that the company is developing for the treatment of colorectal cancer.Currently in the advanced discovery stage of development and the late stages of ‘humanisation’, ART104 has been shown to improve the effects of standard chemotherapy in a mouse model of colorectal cancer. Arana anticipates that ART104 may also be effective for the treatment of other solid tumours. In the next 18 months, Arana is likely to make a decision on the form of ART104 that it will develop clinically, following the completion of pre-clinical studies, and has commenced discussions with a third party concerning a licensing agreement for ART104. ART150 - targeting complex moleculesART150 is an antibody under development for the treatment of lung cancer and melanoma.Targeting complex molecules and made of carbohydrate and lipid found in cell membranes (gangliosides), ART150 is currently in pre-clinical trials. In a mouse model of human lung cancer, ART150 was able to completely inhibit tumour development, even after cessation of treatment. Arana expects to complete pre-clinical development of ART150 in 2009. Three earlier stage anti-cancer compoundsIn addition, Arana has three anti-cancer compounds in the discovery stage of its product pipeline: ART140 for leukaemia, ART101 for colorectal cancer and ART160 for solid tumours. |
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