Argenica Therapeutics was incorporated on 20 November 2019 as a proprietary Australian company to undertake the development and commercialisation of a novel drug based on the pioneering work of Professor Bruno Meloni and Clinical Professor Neville Knuckey at the University of Western Australia (UWA) and the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science (Perron Institute). The drug, known as ARG-007, a cationic, arginine rich peptide, has neuroprotective properties that has the potential to offer protection to the brain following stroke and other acute central nervous system injuries. In June 2021, the Company listed on the ASX, raising the necessary funds to allow Argenica to develop a best in class neuroprotective therapeutic.
Drug development is tightly regulated and involves the sequential demonstration of both safety and efficacy of compounds. Argenica is undertaking the required Drug Research and Development Process to progress through to commercialisation. The Company has recently received ethics approval to commence the phase 1 clinical trial of ARG-007 in healthy participants. Dosing of the first cohort of volunteers is expected to commence in October 2022.