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Case studies

• Biomedicine versus Biotechnology, what’s what?

  What is the difference between biomedicine and biotechnology and how is Queensland backing these exciting priority industries?

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• Breakthrough test for coeliac disease puts Queensland’s biomedical sector on world map

  Queensland is well on its way to becoming an Asia-Pacific biomedical industry hub within the next five years thanks to our world-class researchers, life science entrepreneurs and research institutions and their commitment to developing cutting edge technologies, treatments and services.

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• Compound from deadly spider venom set to save lives

  Dubbed one of the world’s deadliest spiders, the Fraser Island funnel-web is a hero to Queensland researchers who have used its venom to help develop a world-first drug to assist heart attack and stroke victims.

  Professor Glenn King from The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience has dedicated his professional life to harnessing the chemistry of venoms from arthropod predators, such as spiders, scorpions and centipedes, to develop novel pharmaceuticals to treat chronic pain, epilepsy and stroke.

  With a lab containing the largest collection of venoms in the world, he and fellow Institute researcher, Associate Professor Nathan Palpant, discovered that a molecule from venom of the K’gari (Fraser Island) funnel-web spider successfully blocked signals responsible for the death of heart and brain cells after heart attack and stroke.

  The two researchers, whose work led to the establishment of the innovative Brisbane-based start-up company Infensa Bioscience, are looking to progress to clinical trials in 2025 to treat patients suffering serious heart attacks.

  Professor King confirmed that the trials can begin once efficacy is established and toxicology safety standards are met through the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA).

  ‘Part of this process will also involve developing a plan to manufacture the drug to the very highest standards,’ he said.

  Researchers hope that within the next five years the drug will be made widely available to first responders and healthcare professionals in nursing homes who will administer the drug intravenously to treat both heart attack and stroke victims.

  How deadly are strokes and heart attacks?

  Professor King confirmed that stroke and myocardial infarction are the world’s biggest killers with no drugs available to prevent the tissue damage they cause.

  ‘When a person has a heart attack or a stroke, there is reduced blood supply to that organ,’ he explained.

  ‘This triggers a process called anaerobic glycolysis which leads to a build-up of lactic acid, similar to when someone is exercising intensely.

  ‘During exercise, the body can get rid of the lactic acid quickly, but when you have a heart attack or a stroke, it accumulates and causes the heart or brain to become acidic, which leads to tissue damage.’

  Professor King says that each year heart attacks and strokes are responsible for almost 30% of all deaths worldwide.

  ‘Stroke is also the major cause of serious long-term disability,’ he added.

  ‘For heart attack patients, even if they survive, their heart is often irreversibly damaged.

  ‘One quarter of people who survive a heart attack will develop heart failure within the first year, and ultimately, may need a new heart.’

  Who is Infensa Bioscience?

  The company is headed by The University of Queensland (UQ) Associate Professor Mark Smythe, who also founded NASDAQ-listed company Protagonist Therapeutics.

  So far, $23 million has been raised from Australian investors to fund preclinical trials for Infensa Bioscience’s drug which is licensed through UQ’s commercialisation arm, UniQuest.

  Professor King, who was recently elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, says all of the researchers involved hope that the drug will change lives for the better, particularly in rural and regional areas, where it is not always as easy to get to a hospital.

  ‘Our ultimate goal is to get the drug into the hands of first responders to treat heart attacks and strokes,’ he said.

  ‘You start to lose 2 million neurons every minute after a stroke starts and if it takes a patient a long time to get to the hospital, they will experience a lot of brain damage before they arrive and can be treated.’

  Will the drug still contain spider venom?

  No.

  Professor King says that since the venom molecule was discovered, researchers have replaced it with a smaller synthetic peptide.

  ‘It is much easier to manufacture a synthetic version - we can do that ourselves instead of relying on sourcing venom,’ he said.

  State government support for biomedical enterprises

  The department’s Queensland Biomedical 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan ( 605.5 KB) and the Queensland new-industry development strategy both set out how the government will help to grow and support the sector, including innovative biopharmaceutical enterprises like Infensa Bioscience.

  The University of Queensland’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience was established with support from the Queensland Government. This is an example of how the Queensland Government has contributed to creating a research ecosystem able to spin out strong biomedical enterprises. The Queensland Government will continue to provide support for the state’s biomedical sector, its research institutions and talented researchers whose innovative delivery solutions all have the potential to change the world for the better.

  You can learn more about the Queensland Government’s support for our biomedical industry.

• Modern times for clinical trials

  Queensland biomedical researchers are embracing new technologies to help fast-track clinical trials and accelerate the development and delivery of life-saving and life-changing treatments.

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• Our health is linked to our gut

  Queensland biomedical companies continue to attract global interest for their cutting edge research and the development of technologies, treatments and services to improve health care and treatment for people all over the world.

  We spoke to Microba whose research into the human gut microbiome has produced a live biotherapeutic product now being tested for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

  Meet Microba

  Microba is a leading edge Brisbane-based microbiome company whose world-renowned metagenomics technology is set to deliver the next generation of precision live biotherapeutic products to more effectively treat IBD as well as chronic diseases, including cancer and autoimmune disease.

  The company was founded in 2017 by world-renowned microbiome scientists, Professors Philip Hugenholtz and Gene Tyson from the University of Queensland, who shared a vision to increase understanding of the human gut microbiome and the critical role it plays in human health and disease.

  The company is now recognised internationally for delivering excellence to a myriad of national and international partners across its diagnostics, therapeutics and technology platforms and for its research services.

  It has 130 employees, including 30 in the United Kingdom, has raised millions from investors since being publicly listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) in 2022, formed a strategic partnership with leading health care provider, Sonic Healthcare, and, last year, became a clinical stage drug development company.

  Microbas’s Senior Vice President of Therapeutics, Professor Trent Munro, says that in the seven years since the company was founded, the untapped potential for drug discoveries using the human microbiome had substantially increased.

  ‘Evidence has accumulated showing a clear link between the gut microbiome in chronic diseases, including inflammatory autoimmune diseases, gut inflammation related disorders and cardiometabolic diseases which includes heart attacks, strokes and diabetes,’ he explained.

  ‘Six in 10 people now suffer from chronic disease and 4 in 10 have two or more chronic diseases.

  ‘These numbers are staggering and are linked to lifestyle, diet and a complex range of other factors.’

  What is MAP 315?

  Professor Munro says Microba’s discovery and development of the novel biotherapeutic product, MAP 315, to better treat ulcerative colitis (IBD) has been a game changer for the company.

  ‘We have matured into a clinical stage drug development company which is a massive achievement,’ he said.

  ‘Microba is so proud of what the team has built to bring novel microbiome drugs all the way from human data guided discovery, through to an orally delivered drug product now tested in a human clinical trial.

  ‘This trial focussed on testing the safety and tolerability of MAP 315 which was deemed successful in order for us to now progress to Stage 2.

  ‘Microba is very excited about the future potential impact of MAP 315 as a new treatment for IBD sufferers.’

  What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD?

  IBD causes prolonged inflammation of the digestive tract and affects more than 7 million people globally, with this number increasing each year.

  Ulcerative colitis is one of the two major forms of IBD, which results in inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract, causing a debilitating chronic condition.

  Patients are treated with medication to lessen the impacts of the disease and control symptoms, often with significant side effects.

  With the market for ulcerative colitis treatment valued at US$7.5 billion in 2020 and forecast to grow to US$10.8 billion by 2030, Microba’s MAP 315 presents an opportunity to improve the current standard of care and treatment for millions of people around the world.

  How will MAP 315 assist IBD sufferers?

  Professor Munro says MAP 315 was developed through Microba’s Therapeutic Platform to initially target sufferers with mild and moderate symptoms of the disease.

  ‘It was identified using Microba’s unique analysis of its large proprietary human databank, demonstrating that this previously uncharacterised and novel bacterial species is commonly observed in healthy individuals but consistently deficient in individuals with IBD,’ he said.

  ‘Subsequent pre-clinical investigation of MAP 315 demonstrated that it promotes biological activities that are critical for sustained disease remission but which are not adequately addressed through existing therapy.’

  What is next for Microba?

  The company’s IBD therapeutic program is one of three programs which also includes immuno-oncology and autoimmune diseases.

  Researchers are continuing to develop the next generation of cancer therapies using microbiome and metagenomics sequencing technology.

  The research team, which is located the Translational Research Institute is also looking at developing microbiome solutions for chronic diseases such as psoriatic arthritis, Lupus and those affecting the liver.

  How does the state government assist biomedical companies?

  The department’s Queensland Biomedical 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan ( 605.5 KB) and the Queensland new-industry development strategy both set out how the government will help to grow and support the sector, including innovative biomedical enterprises like Microba.

  The Queensland Government will continue to provide support for the state’s biomedical sector, its research institutions and talented researchers whose innovative delivery solutions all have the potential to change the world for the better.

  You can learn more about the Queensland Government’s support for our biomedical industry.

• Queensland’s mission to accelerate vaccine development

  Queensland is home to a cluster of agile, innovative and entrepreneurial businesses all focused on improving healthcare outcomes for Queenslanders.

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