For Immediate Release
Wrays congratulates their client Dimerix, a Western Australian clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company on the successful stage 2 clinical trial results for their product DMX-200 for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease. The trial results were announced 29 July 2020 and showed positive top-line results for a rare kidney disorder that often leads to end-stage kidney failure. Wrays, one of Australia’s leading intellectual property law firms, provided the patent strategy for the product.
Dimerix is just another example of a Western Australian biotechnology firm producing impressive results on the world pharmaceutical stage. To date, Australia has developed 12 drugs that have received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Of these 12, four of them were developed in Western Australia and all four were patented by Wrays.
Wrays’ Chairman Gary Cox said:
“We congratulate Dimerix on their latest success and also congratulate our clients iCeutica and Sarepta for the major achievement of receiving FDA approval for their products. These are great examples of world class intellectual property being developed in Western Australia and making a real impact on the world pharmaceuticals market. FDA approval requires all parties to integrate seamlessly, achieving a balance of scientific and technical understanding, and strategic IP proficiency.”
Achieving FDA approval requires rigorous assessment against strict safety, effectiveness and patent criteria. In 2019, only 48 new drugs were approved by the FDA, putting into perspective the significance of this remarkable Western Australian achievement.
Approved drugs are included in the FDA’s so-called ‘Orange Book’. Used by Medical Professionals and researchers worldwide, the Orange Book is the gold standard reference for generic drug equivalents and is designed to encourage generic competition.
Liddy McCall, Investment Director at Yuuwa Capital, a WA based biotechnology venture capitalist firm, believes Western Australia’s success is rightly deserved. “We are being internationally recognised for our competence and determination. The key to success is to have creative involvement right from the beginning, aligning the commercial and intellectual property goals.” Liddy is the co-founder of iCeutica and alongside her colleague and current chair of Dimerix, Dr James Williams and A/Prof Kevin Pfleger of The Harry Perkins is the inventor of DMX-200.
Western Australia’s thriving biotechnology research companies have numerous other drugs in late-stage development and soon to seek their own FDA approval. Driven by local innovation and investment, WA’s drug development industry is expected to continue to go from strength to strength.
About Wrays
Wrays is one of the largest independent IP specialist firms in Australia – providing end to end IP solutions including IP strategy, patents, trade marks, commercial agreements and dispute resolution. Established in 1920, this year Wrays celebrates their 100th year Anniversary.
About Yuuwa Capital
Yuuwa is a $40million early stage venture capital firm based in Perth, Western Australia. The fund’s directors Ms Liddy McCall and Dr James Williams have hands-on expertise in as successful inventors and investors in early stage Australian biotechnology companies that achieve marketed drug approvals. Yuuwa Capital has supported early-stage investment in biotechnology and software including ASX listed AdAlta Limited which recently announced first in human dosing of its clinical phase compound AD214.