ImmuPharma PLC (AIM:IMM) said it is in active discussions with potential global partners as it advances its P140 drug platform, following new preclinical data that supports the compound’s unique approach to treating autoimmune diseases.
The company, which specialises in drug discovery and development, said the recent research had reinforced confidence in the mechanism of action behind P140, a compound it believes could form the basis for a new standard of care in autoimmune conditions.
Unlike many current treatments, which work by suppressing the immune system, P140 has demonstrated efficacy without triggering immunosuppression.
In a statement accompanying its half-year results, ImmuPharma said: “These findings pave the way for earlier and more accurate diagnostics; identifying patients most likely to respond to P140 therapy; and improved monitoring of the patient's response to treatment.”
New research findings, disclosed in the first quarter of this year, also provide fresh intellectual property opportunities.
The company said it would seek to expand its patent estate around the P140 platform, helping to reinforce the technology’s commercial appeal in discussions with partners.
The compound has shown favourable results across a range of preclinical models, with evidence of its effect on immune system homeostasis, the process by which the body maintains a stable internal environment.
This suggests its potential relevance to a wide range of autoimmune conditions caused by similar immune dysfunction.
Outside its core autoimmune programme, ImmuPharma also reported progress in preclinical studies of its anti-infective portfolio, including antifungal and antibacterial candidates known as BioAMB and BioCIN.
The update came as the company published its interim results for the six months to 30 June.
ImmuPharma reported a loss of £1.8 million for the period, compared with a loss of £0.4 million in the same period last year, largely due to increased research and development spending.
Cash on hand stood at £0.4 million at the end of June, down from £1.1 million a year earlier.