In the fast-paced world of medical research and drug development, innovative ideas often struggle to gain traction due to funding constraints. BioCurate's Proof of Concept Fund is working to change this trend by providing crucial support to address critical gaps in promising projects, as exemplified by the groundbreaking work on Interleukin-38 (IL-38) led by Professor Claudia Nold from Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Associate Professor Andrew Ellisdon from the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute.
Inflammatory disease game-changer
IL-38, once an unsung hero in the cytokine world, has emerged as a potential game-changer in treating inflammatory diseases. Unlike its inflammatory counterparts in the interleukin family, IL-38 exhibits unique anti-inflammatory properties. However, researching this molecule posed challenges due to limited tools and its complex nature.
Professor Nold and Associate Professor Ellisdon, joined by experts from Monash University, including Professor Marcel Nold, Professor Eric Morand and Professor James Whisstock, embarked on a mission to uncover the mechanism of action (MOA) of their IL-38 mimicking molecule. This step is crucial in therapeutic development, as it ensures the highest standards of both safety and effectiveness.
Catalysing anti-inflammatory research progress
BioCurate's support came at a critical juncture, providing the resources needed to maintain momentum and recruit essential expertise within the team. This support ensures continuity in this vital research, offering reassurance that the successful development of their IL-38 candidate is within reach.
Beyond financial support, BioCurate's involvement catalysed the project's progress by connecting the team with contract research organisations. These collaborations facilitated validation and complementary experiments, contributing significantly to understanding the MOA.
"Seeing academic research translated into patient treatments is the ultimate goal, but it needs strong partnerships and support of the kind we receive from Biocurate," said Professor Claudia Nold.
"In an increasingly competitive research landscape, BioCurate's assistance has been instrumental in accelerating all aspects of the project," said Associate Professor Andrew Ellisdon.
As the team moves forward with toxicology and efficacy studies, the potential for developing a new class of anti-inflammatory therapeutics looks promising.
About BioCurate
Jointly formed by the University of Melbourne and Monash University, with support from the Victorian State Government, BioCurate identifies promising biomedical research discoveries and manages their translation into high-quality pre-clinical candidates for novel human therapeutics. We operate in the under-resourced yet critical early phases of therapeutic development to drive early decisions and overcome common barriers to success.
BioCurate is operationally independent, with a team of experts who bring decades of scientific and commercial expertise. This expertise enables us to recognise and realise real-world potential and provides a critical bridge between academia and industry. With an extensive global network within the biotechnology sector, we are well-positioned to drive the most feasible commercial path forward for Australian innovations.
