BNC210 is the first drug of its kind for the treatment of anxiety, which affects over two million Australians. The Phase 1 clinical trials identified its potential for fast relief from anxiety without nasty side effects. Conventional treatments can be addictive and cause drowsiness, impaired memory. They can also react adversely with other medications.

Successful trials were crucial to closing the deal with Ironwood Pharmaceuticals. In one of the clinical trials, BNC210 was tested on subjects who were subjected to a chemically induced panic attack. Treatment with BNC210 clearly reduced anxiety symptoms. The subjects returned to a normal emotional state in ten minutes compared with around an hour for those on a placebo.

In another clinical trial, BNC210 was compared with Lorazepam, a drug similar to Valium. Subjects had EEG leads attached to their scalp to measure brain activity. Those on BNC210 performed better across a range of indicators including attention, memory, and co-ordination.

Dr Rathjen believes intellectual property is vital to Bionomics’ success. “A deal of this kind simply wouldn’t happen without patent protection. I can draw a direct link between our patents and the millions of dollars needed to get life changing therapies to market.”

Bionomics is positioned to target large markets inadequately served by current treatments. The company combines innovation with a global partnering strategy to secure development expertise and investment.

“We’re in the enviable position of having an innovative pipeline comprising first-in-class and best-in-class drug candidates with block buster potential,” says Dr Rathjen.

These include other programs like:

• BNC105, a potent treatment that shuts down the blood supply to solid tumours and starves them of nutrients 
• KV1.3, targeting the US$12 billion market for Multiple Sclerosis treatments
• Alpha 7 tackles memory impairment, including Alzheimers.

Dr Rathjen notes that major pharmaceutical companies are facing a significant “patent cliff”. Many blockbuster drugs are either about to come off patent or already subject to generic competition.

“As a novel drug, BNC210 is at the forefront of development for anxiety and depression. BNC210 also has a very strong patent position and, with the first patent application filed in 2006, a long period of patent protection ahead of it.”

Bionomics is counting on the power of its patents to continue delivering strong business growth.

Source: AT