STARPHARMA (SPHRY)

[ImpulsivWunder]

You'll be sorry if you sit on the sidelines for this one!!!

http://www.investaustralia.gov.au/media/Fi...ortMay12007.pdf

Starpharma
Melbourne nanotechnology drug-developer Starpharma received an international Frost & Sullivan Growth Strategy Leadership Award for its revolutionary vaginal microbicide VivaGel, designed to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. It has successfully completed Phase I clinical trials of VivaGel in Australia.

The active microbicide in VivaGel is SPL7013, one of a novel class of giant, multi-branched synthetic molecules called dendrimers. The multiple ‘arms’ of SPL7013 have reactive tips that clasp and inactivate a protein on the surface of HIV that enables it to attach to T-cells, the immune system’s lymphocyte cells in which HIV replicates.

SPL7013 has a second mode of action: it clasps multiple receptor proteins on the surface of the vagina that provide entry portals for other sexually transmitted viruses and bacteria, including the chlamydia bacterium. The molecule causes the cell surface to pucker around it, making the receptor proteins inaccessible to viruses and bacteria that cause chlamydia, genital herpes, hepatitis B and genital warts.

Currently there are no approved products for the prevention of HIV. In January 2006, the FDA granted Fast Track status to VivaGel as an Investigational New Drug in recognition of the potential of VivaGel to prevent HIV transmission. To extend the clinical application of VivaGel, Starpharma commenced an NIH-funded US clinical trial of VivaGel for genital herpes in October 2006. In October 2006, Starpharma completed acquisition of the investee company DNT.

DNT was awarded “Technology Innovation of the Year” by Frost and Sullivan in November 2005 for its work in developing a family of dendrimers which allowed precise control over the physical characteristics of the dendrimer while still being cost-effective enough to manufacture en masse. DNT was chosen for the award from several nanotechnology companies after a selection process that included primary participant interviews and extensive primary and secondary research.

Frost & Sullivan concluded that DNT’s dendrimer-based nanostructures “represent a potent delivery platform for a vast array of diagnostics and therapeutics and could be employed to manufacture a variety of biotechnology and pharmaceutical products.”