Aussie biotech’s new drug candidate shows promise in inflammatory skin diseases

Biotech News: Australia’s biotech company, Noxopharm, has made an announcement on the company’s cutting-edge technology platform which has yielded a promising new preclinical product candidate, showcasing remarkable effectiveness in combating inflammatory skin diseases.

During a presentation at the prestigious 15th International Congress on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (LUPUS 2023) in Seoul, Noxopharm revealed its novel drug, SOF-XX, as a potential game-changer in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis and lupus. The research presented at the congress demonstrates the drug’s efficacy and establishes it as a promising new class of therapeutics.

Autoimmune diseases affect millions of individuals worldwide, with estimates suggesting that the United States alone has 14 to 24 million cases and on average two times more prevalent in females than males. In Australia, around 20,000 patients suffer from lupus, a condition that primarily affects females, with prevalence nine times higher in women than in men. These staggering numbers underscore the urgent need for effective treatment options.

The key to Noxopharm’s breakthrough lies in its ability to target Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), an immune sensor involved in the overactivation observed in some autoimmune diseases, including lupus and psoriasis. By applying SOF-XX topically in gel form, the drug effectively blocked TLR7 activity, significantly reducing skin scaling and redness. This achievement is particularly noteworthy because there are currently no approved therapeutic inhibitors of TLR7 in the market, making Noxopharm’s solution a unique and much-needed breakthrough.

The success of SOF-XX in combating inflammatory skin diseases serves as a crucial proof of concept for Noxopharm’s Sofra™ technology platform. Developed in collaboration with Melbourne’s Hudson Institute of Medical Research through Noxopharm’s subsidiary, Pharmorage, this platform holds immense potential for the treatment of excessive inflammatory responses observed in infections and autoimmune diseases. By targeting the underlying causes of these conditions, the Sofra™ technology platform presents a promising avenue for addressing unmet medical needs.

Furthermore, Noxopharm is actively exploring the potential applications of its Sofra™ oligonucleotides in mitigating the inflammatory side effects associated with mRNA therapeutics and vaccines through its proprietary SOF-VAC™ vaccine enhancer. This innovative approach holds significant promise for enhancing the safety and efficacy of mRNA-based treatments and vaccines.

Dr Gisela Mautner, CEO of Noxopharm, expressed her enthusiasm about the research findings, highlighting the effectiveness of the Sofra™ platform in reducing inflammation and its potential to target various diseases. The opportunity to present this ground-breaking pre-clinical research to an international audience further amplifies the company’s visibility and reinforces growing interest in their innovative technology.

A/Prof Michael Gantier from the Hudson Institute of Medical Research emphasised the importance of treating autoimmune diseases at their source. He acknowledged that the ability of Sofra™ oligonucleotides to reduce inflammation opens up new possibilities for the treatment of various diseases, offering hope to patients worldwide.

With Noxopharm’s unwavering commitment to advancing medical science and collaboration with leading research institutes, the company is poised to reshape the future of autoimmune disease treatment.

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