Overview

Newland Global Group is delighted to present an investment opportunity, on behalf of our client, within the healthcare sector, for Cancer Treatment Technology. 

Our client is an Australian immuno-oncology company specialising in therapeutics for solid tumors, including prostate, bladder and pancreas. Our client is developing a product for the targeted treatment of a number of cancers. At the core of the technology is a protein known as Glypican-1 (GPC-1). GPC-1 occurs in many solid tumors such as prostate, bladder, pancreatic, glioblastoma, esophageal, ovarian and brain cancers. It is not present in healthy tissue. Our client has developed a unique antibody which, binds specially to the unique target protein marker Glypicam-1 (“GPC-1”), which enables a cytotoxic payload (such as radiation or drug conjugate) to be delivered directly to the cancer site to destroy only the cancer cell; it does not harm healthy cells.

 Problem

Most cancer treatments are not specific to the tumor, utilising chemicals or radiation to try and kill the cancer cells harm healthy cells and are targeted directly to the cancer site. This results in severe side effects of cancer treatment for already sick people. The lack of targeting means that the cancer is less likely to be successful.

The Solution

Our client has developed an antibody which enables a toxic payload to be delivered directly to the cancer site. During treatment.  GPC-1 occurs in many solid tumors such as prostate, bladder, pancreatic, oesophageal, ovarian and brain cancers.

The antibody recognises GPC-1 on the surface of prostate cancer cells but does not bind to normal healthy tissues. GPC-1 represents a potential target for therapy due to the target antigen being detected only on cancer cell. Our clients’ antibody is a first in class treatment for certain solid tumors that can address the growing US$51 billion immune-oncology market for cancer treatment. Currently our client has 11 patients in first-in human trails for prostate and pancreatic cancer, indications to date are very strong with no side effects detected.

The funds are to be utilised in a preclinical program and clinical phase one human trial in the USA to move to obtain FDA approval within 2 years, together with the manufacture of the antibody for US trials.

Financial Advantages

An investment in our client will qualify for the early-stage innovation tax incentives being;

-        Non-fundable carry forward tax offset equal to 20% of the amount of the investment, capped at $200,000 in each year, and

-        Modified capital gains tax treatment, under which capital gains are not taxed if the shareholding is held for a least 12 months and less than 10 years.

The technology risk has been reduced significantly based on the three early stage clinical trials completed to date. The latest mice trial shows strong inhibition of tumor growth and survival, the results are sufficient to undertake human trials to seek FDA approval. Our clients’ product addresses a clear market need for new therapies to target solid tumors such as prostate, pancreatic, bladder, oesophageal, brain and ovarian cancers.

Our client proposes an investment horizon of 2-3 years. The company has had preliminary discussions with large pharmaceutical companies and is confident that a licence or trade sale would evolve quickly upon the successful outcome of the clinical trials over a 14 month period.