AdAlta (ASX:1AD), which listed on the ASX in August 2016, is a clinical stage biotechnology business addressing the need for effective cellular immunotherapies for the treatment of solid cancers. The Company is led by an experienced Management Team and Board and is supported by world class clinical advisors.
Through its “East to West” strategy, the Company is integrating Asia’s innovation in T cell therapy development with the efficiency and quality of Australia’s clinical and manufacturing ecosystem to create a pathway connecting ‘Eastern’ innovation in cellular immunotherapies with ‘Western’ regulated markets and patients.
AdAlta in-licenses products from Asian originators then establishes US FDA-regulated manufacturing, and conducts Phase I clinical studies largely in Australia. This then positions each product for on-licensing to larger biopharmaceutical companies to conduct potential registrational studies and commercialisation.
AdAlta implements a disciplined approach to asset selection focused on highly differentiated T cell therapy products supported by clinical data in solid cancers. The Company adopts a capital efficient business model (often using external capital to fund product development) that delivers a rapid return on investment in each project. The model is replicable and scalable across multiple products.
While the addressable market for solid tumours is huge, accounting for 90% of cancers, it is underserved by current cellular immunotherapies. AdAlta aims to dominate this high-growth segment. The targeted cellular immunotherapy market is projected to grow at a strong double digit compound annual growth rate over coming years.
The Company’s previously developed first-in-class asset, AD-214 has been developed for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), kidney fibrosis and other fibrotic diseases, for which current therapies are sub-optimal.
There is a high-unmet medical need for more effective treatments. AdAlta is seeking third party licensees or investors to advance this asset.
The Company has also discovered a world first antibody-like protein, WD-34, that inhibits all strains of the malaria parasite from invading human red blood cells and liver cells with high potency. WD-34 also inhibits the parasites responsible for babesiosis and toxoplasmosis. WD-34 has the potential to transform seasonal protection for travellers and deployed personnel. The lead candidate is being optimised in collaboration with La Trobe University using grant and third party collaborator financing.