Motif Bio's lead asset iclaprim will partake in US-funded study
has announced that its lead asset iclaprim will be evaluated in a study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the United States’ leading governmental biomedical research center, as a possible treatment for listeria.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which like the NIH falls under the US Department of Health & Human Services, will provide Motif Bio with preclinical services through JMI Laboratories.
The study follows earlier in vitro testing which showed iclaprim was more than 32-fold more potent than standard-of-care treatments.
Shares in Motif Bio are up 13% at 2.60 pence each this morning.
Listeriosis is a rare but serious infection caused by eating contaminated foods that afflicts around 1,600 people in the US each year. If not properly treated, listeriosis can devolve into septicaemia or meningitis, and can be, in some cases, fatal.
David Huang, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer of Motif Bio, commented on the news: "Listeriosis is a potentially life-threatening infection for which more effective treatment options are needed.
If the results of this study confirm that iclaprim has potent activity against L. monocytogenes, we believe that iclaprim could be a potentially useful treatment option and would warrant further study."
For more news and updates on Motif Bio:
Disclaimer & Declaration of Interest
The information, investment views and recommendations in this article are provided for general information purposes only. Nothing in this article should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any financial product relating to any companies under discussion or to engage in or refrain from doing so or engaging in any other transaction. Any opinions or comments are made to the best of the knowledge and belief of the writer but no responsibility is accepted for actions based on such opinions or comments. Vox Markets may receive payment from companies mentioned for enhanced profiling or publication presence. The writer may or may not hold investments in the companies under discussion.