SYDNEY, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research says it has developed an antibody that may treat rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and other inflammatory diseases.
The Australian researcher also said its G2 Therapies arm has signed an agreement with Danish-based Novo Nordisk to provide up to $100 million to take the antibody through human trials.
The antibody blocks an important molecule that guides inflammatory cells into tissue, the researcher said.
"We have done what many others have been trying to do for years. We have made a therapeutic antibody against one of the most potent inflammatory agents in the body and used it to cure arthritis in mice," said Charles Mackay, head of Garvan's arthritis program and the founder of G2 Therapies.
If the results can be repeated in humans, "we will have a revolutionary new treatment for a number of important human diseases," he said.
In addition to treating rheumatoid arthritis, Mackay said the antibody might fight asthma, psoriasis and blood infections and treat heart attack and transplant patients.
