Breakthrough in arthritis test

Published: 18-Jul-2002


Scientists at Melbourne's Austin Research Institute believe they have identified a new human receptor that is involved in the early development of inflammation. A drug has been shown to be effective in targeting this receptor by suppressing inflammation. The treatment is said to be effective much closer to the source of rheumatoid arthritis compared with existing drugs that concentrate on alleviating painful symptoms.

The company commercialising the research, Arthron, a subsidiary of Melbourne-based biotechnology company Prima Biomed, stressed that this is still early stages as tests have only been conducted on mice bred with the human form of the receptor.

'This is the first treatment to show activity at such an early stage of the development of rheumatoid arthritis,' said Biomed ceo Marcus Clark.

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