Immuron Announces New Research Collaboration targeting Antimicrobial Resistance
Immuron (NASDAQ: IMRN) has announced a new research collaboration with Monash University to develop therapeutic drug candidates targeting antimicrobial resistant pathogens. The collaboration involves two key projects: one focusing on bacterial DNA transfer mechanisms to develop broad-spectrum therapeutics, and another specifically targeting Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).
The research will utilize Immuron's technology platform and will be led by Professor Dena Lyras at the Biomedicine Discovery Institute. The collaboration requires no additional funding beyond Immuron's existing research budget. After initial results, both parties will negotiate potential joint development or commercialization terms.
The initiative addresses a critical healthcare challenge, with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) treatment costs exceeding $4.6 billion annually in the U.S. The global antibiotics market is projected to reach $57.0 billion by 2026, growing at a 4.0% CAGR.
Immuron (NASDAQ: IMRN) ha annunciato una nuova collaborazione di ricerca con l'Università di Monash per sviluppare candidati terapeutici contro i patogeni resistenti agli antimicrobici. La collaborazione comprende due progetti chiave: uno focalizzato sui meccanismi di trasferimento del DNA batterico per sviluppare terapie ad ampio spettro, e l'altro specificamente mirato agli enterococchi resistenti alla Vancomicina (VRE).
La ricerca utilizzerà la piattaforma tecnologica di Immuron e sarà guidata dalla Professoressa Dena Lyras presso il Biomedicine Discovery Institute. La collaborazione non richiede finanziamenti aggiuntivi al di fuori del budget di ricerca esistente di Immuron. Dopo i risultati iniziali, entrambe le parti negozieranno potenziali termini di sviluppo congiunto o commercializzazione.
L'iniziativa affronta una sfida critica nel settore sanitario, con i costi di trattamento della resistenza antimicrobica (AMR) che superano i 4,6 miliardi di dollari all'anno negli Stati Uniti. Si prevede che il mercato globale degli antibiotici raggiunga i 57,0 miliardi di dollari entro il 2026, crescendo a un tasso annuo del 4,0%.
Immuron (NASDAQ: IMRN) ha anunciado una nueva colaboración de investigación con la Universidad de Monash para desarrollar candidatos a medicamentos terapéuticos dirigidos a patógenos resistentes a los antimicrobianos. La colaboración implica dos proyectos clave: uno enfocado en los mecanismos de transferencia de ADN bacteriano para desarrollar terapias de amplio espectro, y otro dirigido específicamente a enterococos resistentes a la Vancomicina (VRE).
La investigación utilizará la plataforma tecnológica de Immuron y será liderada por la Profesora Dena Lyras en el Instituto de Descubrimiento Biomedicinal. La colaboración no requiere financiación adicional más allá del presupuesto de investigación existente de Immuron. Después de los resultados iniciales, ambas partes negociarán posibles términos de desarrollo conjunto o comercialización.
Iniciativa aborda un desafío crítico en la atención médica, con costos de tratamiento de resistencia antimicrobiana (AMR) que superan los 4,6 mil millones de dólares anuales en EE.UU. Se proyecta que el mercado global de antibióticos alcance los 57,0 mil millones de dólares para 2026, creciendo a una tasa del 4,0% anual.
Immuron (NASDAQ: IMRN)은 항균제 내성 병원체를 겨냥한 치료제 후보를 개발하기 위해 모나쉬 대학교와 새로운 연구 협력 관계를 발표했습니다. 이 협력은 두 개의 주요 프로젝트를 포함하고 있습니다: 하나는 광범위한 치료제를 개발하기 위한 세균 DNA 전이 기작에 초점을 맞추고 있으며, 다른 하나는 반코마이신 내성 장구균(VRE)을 특별히 겨냥하고 있습니다.
이번 연구는 Immuron의 기술 플랫폼을 활용하며, 생명 의학 발견 연구소(Biomedicine Discovery Institute)에서 델라 리라스 교수의 주도로 진행됩니다. 이번 협력에는 Immuron의 기존 연구 예산 외에 추가 자금이 필요하지 않습니다. 초기 결과를 바탕으로 양측은 공동 개발 또는 상용화 조건에 대해 협상할 것입니다.
이 initiative는 의료 분야의 중요한 도전 과제를 해결하고 있으며, 미국에서 항균제 내성(AMR) 치료 비용이 연간 46억 달러를 초과합니다. 글로벌 항생제 시장은 2026년까지 570억 달러에 이를 것으로 예상되며, 연평균 4.0% 성장할 것으로 보입니다.
Immuron (NASDAQ: IMRN) a annoncé une nouvelle collaboration de recherche avec l'Université de Monash pour développer des candidats médicamenteux thérapeutiques ciblant des agents pathogènes résistants aux antimicrobiens. La collaboration implique deux projets clés : l'un axé sur les mécanismes de transfert d'ADN bactérien pour développer des thérapeutiques à large spectre, et l'autre ciblant spécifiquement les entérocoques résistants à la vancomycine (VRE).
La recherche utilisera la plateforme technologique d'Immuron et sera dirigée par le professeur Dena Lyras au Biomedicine Discovery Institute. Cette collaboration ne nécessite aucun financement supplémentaire au-delà du budget de recherche existant d'Immuron. Après les résultats initiaux, les deux parties négocieront les termes potentiels de développement ou de commercialisation conjointe.
Cette initiative répond à un défi majeur en matière de santé, les coûts de traitement de la résistance aux antimicrobiens (AMR) dépassant 4,6 milliards de dollars par an aux États-Unis. Le marché mondial des antibiotiques devrait atteindre 57,0 milliards de dollars d'ici 2026, avec une croissance de 4,0 % par an.
Immuron (NASDAQ: IMRN) hat eine neue Forschungskooperation mit der Monash University angekündigt, um therapeutische Arzneikandidaten zu entwickeln, die auf antimikrobiell resistente Pathogene abzielen. Die Zusammenarbeit umfasst zwei wesentliche Projekte: eines konzentriert sich auf die Mechanismen der bakteriellen DNA-Übertragung zur Entwicklung von Breitbandtherapeutika, und das andere zielt speziell auf vancomycin-resistente Enterokokken (VRE) ab.
Die Forschung wird die Technologieplattform von Immuron nutzen und von Professorin Dena Lyras am Biomedicine Discovery Institute geleitet. Die Zusammenarbeit erfordert keine zusätzlichen Mittel über das bestehende Forschungsbudget von Immuron hinaus. Nach ersten Ergebnissen werden beide Parteien mögliche Bedingungen für eine gemeinsame Entwicklung oder Vermarktung verhandeln.
Die Initiative greift eine kritische Herausforderung im Gesundheitswesen auf, da die Kosten für die Behandlung von antimikrobieller Resistenzen (AMR) in den USA jährlich über 4,6 Milliarden Dollar betragen. Der globale Antibiotika-Markt wird bis 2026 voraussichtlich 57,0 Milliarden Dollar erreichen und mit einer jährlichen Wachstumsrate (CAGR) von 4,0% wachsen.
- Research collaboration requires no additional funding beyond existing budget
- Targeting global antibiotics market projected to reach $57.0 billion by 2026
- Addressing significant market opportunity with U.S. AMR treatment costs exceeding $4.6 billion annually
- No guaranteed commercialization terms established yet
- Results-dependent future negotiations required for development/commercialization
Insights
The research collaboration with Monash University marks a strategic pivot into the lucrative antimicrobial resistance (AMR) market, targeting a
The partnership leverages IMRN's proprietary technology platform alongside Monash's expertise, potentially accelerating development timelines while minimizing R&D costs. The focus on DNA transfer mechanisms in bacteria represents a novel approach to combat AMR, while the VRE-specific program targets a growing healthcare crisis with significant market potential.
The arrangement's structure, requiring no additional funding within existing research budgets, preserves cash runway while maintaining upside potential through future commercialization negotiations. This is particularly important given IMRN's current market cap of
The strategic value of targeting AMR cannot be overstated, with U.S. treatment costs alone exceeding
The VRE focus is particularly noteworthy as it targets a specific, growing threat in healthcare settings, where treatment options are and outcomes are poor. The rising prevalence of drug-resistant infections in elderly and immunosuppressed populations presents a significant market opportunity, especially given the aging global demographics and increasing healthcare-associated infections.
Highlights:
- New Research Collaboration with Monash University
- One proposal will target Antimicrobial Resistant Pathways to develop broad spectrum therapeutic drug products
- Second project proposal will focus on the Develop of new therapeutic drug candidates against Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)
MELBOURNE, Australia, Jan. 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Immuron Limited (ASX: IMC; NASDAQ: IMRN), an Australian based and globally integrated biopharmaceutical company is pleased to announce a new research collaboration agreement with Monash University.
The major objective of this research collaboration is to develop new therapeutic drug candidates which target antimicrobial resistant pathogens. This work will utilize the Immuron technology platform, and the extensive experience of the Biomedicine Discovery Institute research team lead by Professor Dena Lyras.
The research collaboration is effective and will continue whilst there are relevant research activities being performed under the research plan. No additional or new funding is required for the initial activities by Immuron for the strategic collaboration. The funding of Immuron’s research activities is allowed for in the Company’s existing research budget.
After the results from this research agreement are known, the parties will negotiate in good faith (and without obligation) whether to jointly develop or commercialise the outcomes of these research collaborations on commercially reasonable terms.
The first project proposal will focus on the underlying mechanisms which bacteria utilise to share and transfer their DNA. A process which can rapidly alter the functional capacity and characteristics of a bacterium, resulting in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with the aim to develop broad spectrum therapeutic drug products.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to healthcare systems worldwide. AMR can lead to more severe and harder-to-treat infections in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes. These infections often result in longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and increased mortality rates. In the U.S., the estimated national cost to treat these infections exceeds
The second project proposal will specifically target Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and as the name suggests VRE are bacteria that are resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin. VRE are opportunistic nosocomial pathogens that have emerged as a major healthcare problem worldwide. The two most clinically significant enterococci, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, are associated with a range of nosocomial infections in elderly and immunosuppressed patients. VRE complicates outcomes for at-risk patients, increasing their risk of developing subsequent infections and/or transmitting VRE to other patients. VRE colonisation has been associated with an increased risk of bacteremia, infections at other body sites and can also lead, in severe cases, to mortality.
The global market for antibiotics is projected to reach
This release has been authorised by the directors of Immuron Limited.
| COMPANY CONTACT: Steven Lydeamore Chief Executive Officer steve@immuron.com |
About Immuron
Immuron Limited (ASX: IMC, NASDAQ: IMRN), is an Australian biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing orally delivered targeted polyclonal antibodies for the treatment of infectious diseases.
About Travelan®
Travelan® is an orally administered passive immunotherapy that prophylactically reduces the likelihood of contracting travelers’ diarrhea, a digestive tract disorder that is commonly caused by pathogenic bacteria and the toxins they produce. Travelan® is a highly purified tabletized preparation of hyper immune bovine antibodies and other factors, which when taken with meals bind to diarrhea-causing bacteria and prevent colonization and the pathology associated with travelers’ diarrhea. In Australia, Travelan® is a listed medicine on the Australian Register for Therapeutic Goods (AUST L 106709) and is indicated to reduce the risk of Travelers’ Diarrhea, reduce the risk of minor gastro-intestinal disorders and is antimicrobial. In Canada, Travelan® is a licensed natural health product (NPN 80046016) and is indicated to reduce the risk of Travelers’ Diarrhea. In the U.S., Travelan® is sold as a dietary supplement for digestive tract protection.
Travelers’ diarrhea (TD)
TD is generally defined as the passage of ≥ 3 unformed stools per 24 hours plus at least one additional symptom (such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, blood/mucus in the stools, or fecal urgency) that develop while abroad or within 10 days of returning from any resource-limited destinations (Leung et al., 2006). Diarrhea continues to be the most frequent health problem among travelers to destinations in lower- and middle-income regions (Steffen, 2017). Deployed US military personnel, essentially representing a long-term traveller population, are particularly affected given their population dynamics and the context in which they seek care and treatment (Connor et al., 2012). Diarrhea is the leading infectious disease threat to the overall health and preparedness of deployed US armed forces, with diarrheagenic E. coli, Campylobacter spp., and Shigella spp. among the most commonly reported etiologies (Riddle et al., 2006).
Immuron Platform Technology
Immuron’s proprietary technology is based on polyclonal immunoglobulins (IgG) derived from engineered hyper-immune bovine colostrum. Immuron has the capability of producing highly specific immunoglobulins to any enteric pathogen and our products are orally active. Bovine IgG can withstand the acidic environment of the stomach and is resistant to proteolysis by the digestive enzymes found in the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Bovine IgG also possesses this unique ability to remain active in the human GI tract delivering its full benefits directly to the bacteria found there. The underlying nature of Immuron’s platform technology enables the development of medicines across a large range of infectious diseases. The platform can be used to block viruses or bacteria at mucosal surfaces such as the Gastrointestinal tract and neutralize the toxins they produce.
IMM-124E (Travelan®)
IMM-124E was developed using Immuron’s platform technology. IMM-124E is produced from the colostrum of birthing cattle that have been immunised during pregnancy with a vaccine containing the outer antigens of multiple human derived ETEC. A total of 13 ETEC strains are used in the vaccine to produce high levels of antibodies against selected surface antigens from the most common strains of ETEC.
The resultant hyperimmune colostrum IMM-124E from ETEC vaccinated cows contains significant levels of polyclonal antibodies specific for ETEC antigens LPS, CFA-I and Flagellin (Sears et al., 2017).
The antibodies produced in IMM-124E have been found to have a stronger binding and neutralizing activity (than the antibodies of unvaccinated cattle) against a wide range of LPS antigens including both the variable O-polysaccharide region and the preserved oligosaccharide core ‘R’ region of LPS from the 13 serotypes used in the ETEC vaccine.
IMM-124E is manufactured into a tablet form referred to as Travelan®.
IMM-529
Immuron is developing IMM-529 as an adjunctive therapy in combination with standard of care antibiotics for the prevention and/or treatment of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). IMM-529 antibodies targeting Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) may help to clear CDI infection and promote a quicker re-establishment of normal gut flora, providing an attractive oral preventative for recurrent CDI.
Immuron is collaborating with Dr. Dena Lyras and her team at Monash University, Australia to develop vaccines to produce bovine colostrum-derived antibodies. Dairy cows were immunised to generate hyperimmune bovine colostrum (HBC) that contains antibodies targeting three essential C. diff virulence components. IMM-529 targets Toxin B (TcB), the spores and the surface layer proteins of the vegetative cells.
This unique 3-target approach has yielded promising results in pre-clinical infection and relapse models, including (1) Prevention of primary disease (
To our knowledge, IMM-529 is, to date, the only investigational drug that has shown therapeutic potential in all three phases of the disease (Hutton et al., 2017).
References
Connor P, Porter CK, Swierczewski B and Riddle MS. Diarrhea during military deployment: current concepts and future directions. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 25(5): 546-54; 2012.
Hutton, M.L., Cunningham, B.A., Mackin, K.E. et al. Bovine antibodies targeting primary and recurrent Clostridium difficile disease are a potent antibiotic alternative. Sci Rep 7, 3665 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-03982-5
Leung AK, Robson WL, Davies HD. Travelers’ diarrhea. Adv Ther. Jul-Aug; 23(4): 519-27; 2006
Riddle MS, Sanders JW, Putnam SD, and Tribble DR. Incidence, etiology, and impact of diarrhea among long-term travelers’ (US military and similar populations): A systematic review. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 74(5): 891-900; 2006.
Sears KT, Tennant SM, Reymann MK, Simon R, Konstantopolos N, Blackwelder WC, Barry EM and Pasetti MF. Bioactive Immune Components of Anti-Diarrheagenic Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Hyperimmune Bovine Colostrum products. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology. 24 (8) 1-14; 2017.
Steffen R. Epidemiology of travelers' diarrhea. J Travel Med. 24(suppl_1): S2-S5; 2017.
For more information visit: https://www.immuron.com.au/ and https://www.travelan.com
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our growth strategy and product development programs and any other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition, and stock value. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated include: risks relating to our growth strategy; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; risks relating to the results of research and development activities; risks relating to the timing of starting and completing clinical trials; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability to attract, integrate and retain key personnel; the early stage of products under development; our need for substantial additional funds; government regulation; patent and intellectual property matters; competition; as well as other risks described in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law.
FAQ
What are the two main projects in Immuron's (IMRN) new research collaboration with Monash University?
How much additional funding is required for IMRN's 2024 Monash University collaboration?
What is the projected market size for antibiotics that IMRN is targeting?
What is the current annual cost of treating antimicrobial resistant infections in the US that IMRN aims to address?
Who will lead the research team in IMRN's collaboration with Monash University?
