MELBOURNE, Australia, Nov. 09, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Immuron Limited (ASX:IMC) (OTCQB:IMROY) and One Way Liver S.L. (OWL Metabolomics), a leader in the field of metabolomics and liver diseases diagnostics, have signed a collaboration agreement to evaluate and validate the efficacy of non-invasive markers for the development of a NASH companion diagnostic to IMM-124E.
Samples collected from the 120 patients to be enrolled during the Immuron NASH Phase II trial will be tested to assess the performance of the OWLiver test and some would be subjected to full metabolomics analysis. Should results be promising, the companies will then proceed to work on a companion diagnostic.
Terms of the agreement remain confidential.
“We are very excited by the great potential of this collaboration,” says Thomas Liquard, CEO of Immuron. “The only accepted diagnostic tool for NASH today is a liver biopsy, which is arguably not applicable in the clinical setting as a monitoring tool. We look forward to create a validated biomarker and companion diagnostic to improve clinical care for NASH patients when treated with Immuron's compound.”
Added OWL’s CEO, Pablo Ortiz:
“OWL Metabolomics and our team of liver research professionals are extremely excited to be involved in such an important partnership with Immuron. Newly-developed drugs are becoming more targeted for many diseases, while regulatory authorities increasingly seek more specific technologies in evaluating early-stage drug candidates and determining the most appropriate patient selection for a given drug. We fully anticipate that our novel testing will serve as a robust surrogate marker for specific histopathological changes in the liver.”
About OWL Metabolomics
OWL Metabolomics is a biotechnology company committed to the identification, validation and global commercialization of diagnostic assays for the liver and other prevalent human diseases, including the identification of potential therapeutic targets involved in the development of such diseases. Since its inception in 2002, OWL has pioneered novel diagnostic research within the fatty liver space.
The ‘OWL Liver’ and ‘OWL Liver Care’ assays are the world's first metabolomics-based in-vitro tests for diagnosing NASH and hepatic steatosis (NAFLD), respectively, using micro-blood samples (<0.5 ml) versus today's diagnostic gold-standard which mandates an invasive liver biopsy.
OWL Metabolomics is a privately-held company based in Derio, Spain and collaborates globally with hospitals, liver research centers, biotechnology groups and the pharmaceutical industry.
More information - http://www.owlmetabolomics.com/liver-disease-diagnosis.aspx
About Immuron
Immuron Ltd (ASX:IMC) (OTCQB:IMROY) is a microbiome company focused on developing and commercialising oral immunotherapeutics for the treatment of a many gut mediated diseases. Immuron has a unique and safe technology platform that enables a shorter development therapeutic cycle. The company currently markets Travelan® for the prevention of travellers’ diarrhoea, its lead product candidate IMM-124E is in Phase 2 clinical trials for NASH and ASH, and it has a preclinical immunotherapy pipeline targeting immune-related diseases with unmet needs.
Immuron’s main scientific alliances are with Hadassah Medical Center (Israel), Monash University (Australia) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) (Australia).
Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain statements made in this release are forward-looking statements and are based on Immuron’s current expectations, estimates and projections. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “guidance” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although Immuron believes the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, they are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Immuron’s control, including those risks or uncertainties inherent in the process of both developing and commercializing technology. As a result, actual results could materially differ from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this release relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. Immuron will not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions or updates to these forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances or unanticipated events occurring after the date of this release except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory authority.