ASX Health Stocks: Neuren to start Phase 2 trial soon; Proteomics expands footprint in South America

Proteomics expands PromarkerD sales to Chile

Diagnostics medtech company, Proteomics International (ASX:PIQ), has signed a licence agreement for the sale of its PromarkerD predictive test for diabetic kidney disease in Chile, expanding the product’s reach in Central and South America.

The deal was signed with long-standing partner, Omics Global Solutions, for five years, extendable by mutual agreement and exclusive to Chile.

The licence agreement also includes commercially agreed royalties based on sales of the test, which Omics manufactures under licence.

Omics was the first licence partner for PromarkerD (sold as Innovatio ND2), which has already been launched in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic ahead of its entry to the US market.

“We are delighted to be expanding the relationship with Omics to bring the test to patients in South America,” said Proteomics’ CEO, Dr Richard Lipscombe.

Chile is home to 1.7 million adults with diabetes. Almost one in eight adults in Chile have diabetes, where the number of people with the condition has risen almost 50% in the past 10 years.

The PromarkerD test will initially be targeted at Chile’s private payer market. Omics is also targeting expansion into other markets in Central and South America.

PromarkerD is a blood test designed to predict the risk of developing diabetic kidney disease (DKD), or progression of DKD in patients with type-2 diabetes.

Neuren to commence Phase 2 trial on Angelman syndrome

Market darling Neuren Pharma (ASX:NEU) said the last subject to be screened this week will complete the enrolment of subjects into its Phase 2 clinical trial of NNZ-2591 in Angelman syndrome (AS).

Top-line results from the trial are expected to be available in Q3 2024.

The Phase 2 trial will have enrolled children between aged 3 to 17 years at three hospitals in Australia. The study will examine the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and efficacy of NNZ-2591 over 13 weeks of twice-daily oral liquid doses.

NNZ-2591 is a synthetic drug which is is under development by Neuren for the treatment of Rett syndrome, fragile X syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, Pitt Hopkins syndrome (genetic disorders), Prader-Willi syndrome, as well as Angelman Syndrome.

There are currently no approved medicines for Angelman syndrome, which is characterised by severe developmental delay and learning disabilities that become noticeable by the age of 6–12 months.

Children and adults with AS typically have balance issues, motor impairment and can have debilitating seizures. Some individuals never walk, most do not speak and disruptive sleep also can be a serious challenge.