Sofra ™

Noxopharm has a rich pipeline of drug candidates designed to optimise the production of ground-breaking therapies for the future.

With a strategic focus on collaborating with world-leading research institutions to identify and develop potentially life-saving therapies, Noxopharm and its Pharmorage subsidiary have in-licensed a technology from Hudson Institute of Medical Research to create the Sofra™ technology platform.

This technology platform is based upon short nucleic acid sequences, the building blocks of DNA or RNA, known as oligonucleotides. These oligonucleotides provide a novel treatment approach, acting on specific cells to modulate inflammation at its source. They have potential applications in the treatment of excessive inflammatory responses like those sometimes seen after viral or bacterial infections and in autoimmune diseases.

Additionally, Noxopharm is also exploring the potential for oligonucleotides to limit the potential inflammatory side effects associated with mRNA therapeutics and vaccines.

Autoimmune Disease

Autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis affect as many as 5% of Australians. These conditions are characterised by uncontrolled inflammation that contributes to many chronic health issues, and has an enormous impact on longevity and quality of life.

Hudson Institute has developed a novel strategy that utilises oligonucleotides to block receptors that are overactivated in those diseases, known as pattern recognition receptors.

The most advanced oligonucleotide Noxopharm and Hudson have in development is a drug candidate that targets the pattern recognition receptor TLR-7. Researchers have identified a direct link between overactivation of TLR7 and lupus or SLE, validating the importance of this target.

Currently, this oligonucleotide has been shown to significantly block inflammation in vitro, and preclinical research work is ongoing.

The Victorian government has recently awarded a grant to Hudson Institute to support the ongoing investigation of TLR7 inhibitors, targeting the common autoimmune disease SLE. Noxopharm is co-investing in this research and holds Composition of Matter patents with a view to progressing high potential drug candidates into the Noxopharm and Pharmorage drug development program.