MRC Biotech holds patents around the following technologies:

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 and its analogues have been widely researched internationally as possible therapeutic agents for cancer. Trials are underway around the world using different analogues. Cell culture and animal results have pointed at Vitamin D3 being a powerful drug, if it can be administered appropriately. The limitation has always been the severe side effects associated with systemic delivery. MRC Biotech holds granted patents that seek to overcome this limitation, through regional delivery of the Vitamin D3 or analogues.

MRC Biotechs' patents cover regional delivery of Vitamin D3 and analogues to the liver for treatment of primary and secondary liver cancers. The key aspect of the patent is delivery in a lipid medium, as most liver tumours are lipid avid. The combination of a lipid delivery vehicle and regional delivery overcomes many of the limitations of current Vitamin D3 technologies. 

Our work in animals and a small Phase I trial have shown that using regional lipid delivery is highly likely to overcome the current side effects of systemic delivery.

The patent families for our Vitamin D3 technology are:

(A) Method of treatment of liver tumours and pharmaceutical compositions for use therein (PCT/AU98/00440)

• Australia – Granted
• USA – Granted
• Singapore – Granted
• China – Granted
• Hong Kong – Granted
• South Korea – Granted
• South Africa – Granted
• Europe – Final examination
• Japan – Under examination

MRC202

MRC202 is based on a drug that has been widely used in man for over 30 years, with little or no side effects. The team at St. George Hospital Cancer Research Laboratory have discovered its anti-cancer properties as a VEGF inhibitor. Many cell-culture and animal experiments showing its effect against a variety of cancers have been completed. In the course of this work it was also discovered that MRC202 is a powerful agent against vascular permeability, and this property will also be developed by MRC Biotech through a proprietary formulation.

MRC202 has recently entered a Phase I clinical trial for malignant ascites. Should the trial prove successful, MRC Biotech will look to fast-track this product into the market, as the therapeutic options for malignant ascites are currently very limited.

MRC202 will also have applications in non-cancer indications. In particular MRC Biotech is interested in exploring its use against Aged Macular Degeneration (AMD), heart disease and psoriasis. We are actively seeking partners interested in developing new therapies in these areas. 

The technology behind MRC202 is captured in two patent families that MRC Biotech has licensed from NewSouth Innovations, the technology company of the University of New South Wales.

MRC304 

MRC304 is currently in pre-clinical development. The team at St. George Hospital Cancer Research Laboratory have developed a systemic formulation of a previously insoluble drug. This product works very well against cancers as both a stand-alone therapy or in combination with existing anti-cancer therapies, in particular taxol compounds. 

MRC Biotech plans to start combination therapy trails using MRC304 in early 2008.

The technology behind MRC304 is captured in a patent application that MRC Biotech has licensed from NewSouth Innovations, the technology company of the University of New South Wales.