Immuron (ASX: IMC) has further demonstrated the effectiveness of its IMM-529 in preventing the antibiotic-associated infection, Clostridium difficile, in mice.
Clostridium difficile is the most serious cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) and can lead to a severe infection of the colon that often results from eradication of the normal gut flora by antibiotics.
Importantly, the most recent results, combined with earlier ones, demonstrate the significance of IMM-529 as a prophylaxis for Clostridium difficile infection.
The most recent study, conducted by Monash University, looked at the survival rate, weight loss and histopathology of mice treated with IMM-529 prior to being exposed to the Clostridium difficile bacteria.
The results demonstrate a strong rationale for continuing the development of a prophylaxis product, and strengthen the intellectual property around this product.
Additional studies are planned to investigate IMM-529’s efficacy in treating Clostridium difficile post-infection, as well as to support patent applications and a human clinical trial.
Immuron could begin clinical trials as early as this year.
Market opportunity
Clostridium difficile infections are increasing due to the widespread use of antibiotics.
The most recently approved product to treat Clostridium difficile infection is a macrolide antibiotic drug that demonstrates a comparable efficacy to vancomycin, the previous treatment of choice.
Both these treatments cost in excess of US$1,800 (A$1,772) per person for a 10 day treatment.
There is no preventative product currently available.
Clostridium difficile infections result in an estimated annual economic burden of more than US$10 billion globally.
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