SYDNEY, May 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HaemaLogiX Ltd, a
clinical stage biotech developing novel immunotherapies for
patients with blood cancers and B-cell diseases, is pleased to
announce the appointment of Professor the Hon Greg Hunt, former
Australian Federal Minister for Health, to the HaemaLogiX Board as
a Non-Executive Director. This appointment marks the first
corporate directorship that Prof Hunt has accepted since completing
his period as Minister for Health.
As the Federal Minister for Health from 2017 to 2022, Prof Hunt
oversaw Australia's response to
the global COVID-19 pandemic. He established telehealth as a
permanent and universal centrepiece of Medicare, Australia's publicly funded universal
healthcare scheme. In addition, Prof Hunt reformed private health
and established long-term plans for mental health, aged care,
medical research and primary care and listed over 2,000 new and
amended medicines for public access.
As Minister for Industry, Innovation & Science, Prof Hunt
laid the foundation for the Australian Space Agency. As Minister
for the Environment, he established the Emissions Reduction Fund,
the Green Army, the $1 billion Reef
Trust and helped lead Australia's
negotiations for the Montreal Protocol update and Paris Climate
Change Accord. For his work as Environment Minister, Prof Hunt was
named Best Minister in the World at the World Government Summit in
2016.
Outside of his political career, Prof Hunt holds academic
appointments with world-class institutions including the
University of Melbourne and University
College, London. Prof Hunt is also
the Chair of the CARDIO4Cities Accelerator Steering Committee under
Novartis Foundation, and Chair of the Turner Institute for Mental
Health at Monash University.
On his decision to join the Board, Professor Hunt said,
"HaemaLogiX tackles an unmet treatment need through innovative
science which is recognised by world-leading scientific voices.
Through my career, I have seen first-hand the invaluable benefits
that immunotherapy and other emerging therapies can bring to
patients. As we continue to advance our clinical trials (and
subject to those trials) there is great hope for safer and more
effective treatments which may be made available for patients with
multiple myeloma and other conditions," said Prof Hunt.
"Working with this well-respected team was also a very exciting
prospect. HaemaLogiX is led by an impressive senior executive and
board. The Scientific Advisory Board is notable for its
internationally-renowned researchers, medical professionals, and
academics," said Prof Hunt.
Established in 2014, HaemaLogiX is an Australian biotech company
specialising in developing immune-based treatments to improve
outcomes for patients battling blood cancers such as multiple
myeloma, and B-Cell diseases. The company has identified unique
therapeutic targets and developed antibody-based treatment
strategies to change the course of related diseases.
Damian Clarke-Bruce, CEO and
Managing Director of HaemaLogiX, said that the synergy between the
company's research focus and Prof Hunt's passion for enhanced
patient outcomes and innovation in science, makes him a strong
addition to the board. "We're thrilled to welcome Greg to our
company. He brings a wealth of advisory experience and knowledge to
HaemaLogiX, with an equal commitment to seeing new treatments reach
patients and the market."
HaemaLogiX is the first and only company, of which we are aware,
developing antibody therapy focused on the novel targets kappa
myeloma antigen (KMA) and lambda myeloma antigen (LMA). KMA and LMA
are found on the surface of cancer cells and not on normal cells in
patients with multiple myeloma and AL amyloidosis, two diseases
with limited treatment success and no effective cure.
The company's antibody clinical trial programs targeting KMA and
LMA are conducted in partnership with global leaders in haematology
at Alfred Health and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
(Peter Mac). Validated and guided by
these pioneering research institutions, HaemaLogiX runs
first-in-class clinical programs.
Led by Professor Andrew Spencer
from the Alfred, a published Phase 2b
efficacy study for the KappaMab program demonstrated an 83% overall
response rate in multiple myeloma patients, combined with a 46%
reduction in risk of death compared to the matched case control
group, without delivering any increased adverse effects for the
patients. Two patients from this study have remained on therapy for
more than 4 years following their initial treatment.
Haemalogix and Peter Mac are
actively progressing the manufacturing stage of their collaborative
CAR-T development program. The team plans to initiate the first
CAR-T Phase 1 clinical trial targeting KMA on malignant plasma
cells. This trial is in relapsed/refractory myeloma patients
with KMA-positive bone marrow plasma cells and whose disease is
progressing in spite of prior standard of care treatments.
"Science is always evolving. Through our identification of
unique novel antigens, HaemaLogiX technology and multiple
therapeutic vehicles provide new options for patients. Greg further
links us internationally with key industry stakeholders. As we move
to expand our presence into the US, we are excited by this and
ready for the next step of our company's growth," said
Clark-Bruce.
Non-Executive Chairman, Dr John
Cullity said: "Greg represents a significant addition to our
Board. As we further our clinical achievements, we look forward to
working closely with Greg to amplify our presence within the
Australian life science sector in addition to accessing global
audiences as we scale up HaemaLogiX."
Media Contact
Jane
Lowe
+61 411 117 774
jane.lowe@irdepartment.com.au
Evelyn Yang
+61 432 871 726
evelyn.yang@irdepartment.com.au
About HaemaLogiX Ltd
Formed in 2014, HaemaLogiX is a public unlisted biotech company
researching antibody therapies for multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma is a haematological (blood) cancer of plasma
cells (B cells) that can cause focused damage to a patient's bone
marrow. Multiple myeloma is considered treatable but generally
incurable.
The HaemaLogiX team has a wide range and depth of experience in
antibody research, nonclinical & clinical development,
manufacturing and commercialisation. The Scientific Advisory Board
(SAB) members are internationally recognised experts in monoclonal
antibody therapies and haematology.
Our current research and clinical trial partners are global
leaders in multiple myeloma and AL Amyloidosis therapy. HaemaLogiX
is located in Sydney, Australia
with clinical trials coordinated in Melbourne, Victoria and an evolving presence in the
USA.
www.haemalogix.com
About Professor Greg
Hunt
Greg is a highly experienced former Cabinet Minister in the
Australian Government, having served as Australia's Minister for the Environment,
Innovation and Health across three major portfolios over almost
nine years. He advises a wide range of businesses and not for
profits in the areas of innovation, leadership, strategic planning,
health and the environment.
As Minister for Health from 2017 to 2022, Professor Hunt oversaw
an annual budget of $132 billion, 17
portfolio agencies and 7,000 staff. Prior to that, Prof Hunt was
Minister for Industry, Innovation & Science (2016-2017) and
Minister for the Environment, Australian Government (2013-2016). He
was first elected to the Parliament in 2001, serving as the Federal
Member for Flinders, a seat that he went on holding for the
subsequent two decades until his retirement in 2022.
Professor Hunt was appointed Honorary Enterprise Professor in
the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Services and the
Faculty of Business and Economics at the University
of Melbourne in December 2022
and Honorary Professor at University College, London in February 2024. Greg is also the
inaugural Chair of the Advisory Council for the Turner Institute
for Brain and Mental Health at Monash University and Chair of
the Novartis Foundation's CARDIO4Cities Accelerator Steering
Committee.
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SOURCE HaemaLogiX Limited