Tuesday 26 October 2010

ImmuPharma's N6L compound valued at 2.5x market cap by Edison Investment Research

Edison Investment Research put the net present value (NPV) of ImmuPharma’s (LON:IMM) IPP-204106 compound at up to £190 million compared to its market cap of £75 million.
In today’s research report, Edison responded to last week’s update from the company, which is planning to file a new cancer compound (IPP-204106, N6L) as a US Investigational New Drug (IND) in the next few months and start a Phase IIb trial in the first half of 2011.
In a statement published last week, the company said it has now dosed six cancer patients, suffering from either breast cancer, lung cancer or bladder cancer, and no serious drug-related adverse events have been reported.
Two patients were rated as having the disease stabilised.
Edison said the update showed steady phase IIa development progress with six enrolled patients and a move to the second dose level as the 1 miligram (mg)/kilogram (kg) dose has passed and the 2mg/kg dose is being tested.
The report noted that nanoparticles formed from N6L and glycosaminoglycan are potentially tenfold more effective in killing cancer cells, which Edison said was an “interesting, very valuable observation”.
ImmuPharma is running a standard Phase IIa study with advanced-cancer patients with various tumour types to find the maximum tolerated dose, which could be up to 20 mg/kg.
The study is designed to show safety and tolerability and assess the maximum tolerated dose.
The next stage of trials, phase IIb, in four cancers could start as soon as next year.
Pancreatic, brain, melanoma (skin) and castration-resistant prostate cancer targeted by the study are all considered to be hard to treat cancers with no current robust treatment options.
In preclinical work, IPP-204106 showed a dual mode of action: anti-angiogenic and arrest of cancer cell growth with possible apoptosis.
This dose can then be used in specific tumour-type Phase IIb studies to give an initial indication of efficacy.
A US IND (investigational new drug application) might be filed in 2011 to start US clinical work.
The research house gave N6L a risk adjusted of £190 million, or 230 pence per share, compared to an enterprise value of about £50 million.
Edison will revaluate IPP-204106 once the Phase IIa data is released.
The report noted that ImmuPharma remains sensitive to exchange rates as about 75% of its cash is held in US dollars.

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