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MultiCell Technologies says MCT-465 to be studied as vaccine for avian flu
By E. Janene Geiss
Philadelphia, Nov. 9 - MultiCell Technologies, Inc. announced Wednesday that its subsidiary, MultiCell ImmunoTherapeutics, has elevated MCT-465 to lead drug candidate status and will begin evaluation of MCT-465 in preclinical animal models infected with the H5N1 strain of influenza, or avian flu.
The proposed studies will be designed to determine the effectiveness of MCT-465 to induce immunity in mice infected by the H5N1 influenza A virus, according to a company news release.
The studies will seek to build on the success that MCT-465, a toll receptor molecule, demonstrated in animal models infected with the H1N1 strain of influenza A virus, officials said.
In preclinical studies, which were published in the October edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, MCT-465 reduced pulmonary titers by 1,000-fold in mice, resulting in barely detectable levels of the virus, officials said.
The results suggest MCT-465 also may be able to reduce the viral load. The H5N1 strain of influenza A is genetically similar to the H1N1 strain of influenza A virus, officials said.
"Based upon our results with influenza A H1N1 virus in mouse models, we believe MCT-465 holds the promise of demonstrating efficacy in H5N1 influenza A animal models," Dr. Stephen Chang, president of MultiCell, said in the release.
The company plans additional preclinical studies to further elucidate the underlying immunology, as well as evaluate the manufacturing requirements and toxicology profile of MCT-465 prior to beginning human clinical trials, officials said.
San Diego-based MultiCell, a developer of therapeutic products and supplier of immortalized human cell lines for drug discovery, acquired MCT-465 as a result of its acquisition last month of substantially all of the assets of Astral, Inc.
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