β-tubulin

Results data drawn from a subset of samples tested in KeyScreen® GI Parasite PCR's first 10 months shows widespread problem with parasites in dogs and cats FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., June 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Antech Diagnostics presented its largest molecular parasite study1 to date at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine's (ACVIM) Forum 2023. The first research abstract of two presented by Antech this year, studied a large subset of fecal samples - over 300,000 - from cats and dogs amassed in the first 10 months following KeyScreen® GI Parasite PCR's 2022 launch. As reported in the study1, molecular diagnostic testing revealed over a quarter of dogs and cats from the studied population were infected with parasites (1 in 4), which shows much more sensitive detection than conventional fecal testing (1 in 10). KeyScreen is the most advanced and comprehensive molecular diagnostic test, which can quickly detect 20 intestinal parasites in cats and dogs from a single 0.15 gram fecal sample, including markers for zoonotic Giardia and drug-resistant hookworm. Evidence showed 1 in 4 dogs and cats (over 25%) were infected with at least one parasite, and co-infections (two or more parasites found in a single fecal sample) were detected in 1 in 5 pets with parasites (over 20%). Among the dog samples that identified hookworm, 1 in 10 (over 11%) were found to have the marker for anthelmintic drug (benzimidazole)-resistance.1 In addition to uncovering a much higher frequency of parasite infection, further research also shows the parasite problem to be more widespread in North America– both geographically and across dog breeds - than previously believed. Research supports a growing body of KeyScreen data Another KeyScreen study into anthelmintic-resistant canine hookworms in North America had found that the problem is much more widespread across the US. 2 This new data shows that in North America, over 11% of detected canine hookworms were identified with the drug resistance marker 167Y. 1 In addition, the problem of hookworm resistance is now emerging in Canada. Treatment resistance hookworm markers have been found in more than 72 dog breeds, indicating that this is no longer just a problem in greyhounds. Drug-resistant hookworms are a problem North American veterinarians need to be aware of.3 Second ACVIM presentation highlights new drug resistance marker A second KeyScreen research study presented at ACVIM today, highlights how these drug-resistant parasites are rapidly adapting, through investigation of another recently discovered hookworm benzimidazole treatment resistance marker. 3,4 This new marker (134H) increased the detection of hookworm benzimidazole treatment resistance by 25% in dog hookworm detected samples (143) collected in Florida. The existing drug resistance marker 167Y was found in 31 samples, while the marker 134H was found in an additional 8, thereby increasing the rate of resistant strains by 25%. Because of Antech's agility, as of June 1, 2023, this second marker is now included in KeyScreen, providing additional practical – and the most advanced - information for veterinarians. KeyScreen's real-world impact KeyScreen is revolutionizing the field of routine veterinary parasite screening, by providing more detailed information on how parasites are adapting, emerging and spreading geographically. It is also highlighting One Health (the interconnection between human, animal and environmental health led by WHO, and in the US by the CDC) and pharmacological stewardship. In practice, KeyScreen is part of veterinary day-to-day routine wellness, and in line with evidence and expert-based recommendations from CAPC/CPEP, which helps create the most accurate parasite profile possible for every pet. And by doing so, veterinarians can provide the most efficient and effective care to protect the health of pets, their families and the broader community. Dr. Christian M. Leutenegger, Vice President of research and development at Antech and KeyScreen inventor who presented both abstracts at ACVIM Forum 2023 said: "Until recently, parasites have been adapting at a rate that has outpaced technology. KeyScreen is a significant advancement in veterinary diagnostics, providing a powerful tool to detect parasites in a way we have never been able to before. This innovation has important implications for GI parasite One Health and also, antimicrobial stewardship. DNA doesn't lie, it's either there or it's not – there is no subjectivity." Find out more about KeyScreen here: About KeyScreen KeyScreen™ GI Parasite PCR is the most comprehensive GI parasite screening solution for cats and dogs. It uses molecular technology (PCR) to quickly detect and amplify small segments of nuclei acid from parasites' DNA or RNA, providing actionable insights that enable veterinarians to better care for pets, protect people and the environment, and practice antimicrobial stewardship to help preserve parasiticides. KeyScreen can detect 20 intestinal parasites from a single, storable 0.15 gram fecal sample. It can uniquely detect markers for anthelmintic drug-resistant hookworm and potentially zoonotic Giardia in addition to co-infections, all of which influence treatment selection, helping veterinarians uphold pharmacological stewardship and One Health principles. KeyScreen delivers a full report, along with other core diagnostic results, in just 24-48 hours, saving you time in clinic and providing a level of precision that's impossible to achieve with traditional O&P and ELISA methods. By making advanced molecular parasite screening practical for routine wellness exams, KeyScreen provides veterinarians with a faster, more accurate path to positively impact the health of pets, people, and the broader community. About Antech At the heart of Antech is our love for pets and our desire to see them live longer, healthier lives. Through superior diagnostic testing delivered with a flexible, can-do spirit, we endeavor to treat every sample as if it belongs to our own pet. Our innovative diagnostics, accessible through North America's largest reference laboratory network, span world-class imaging equipment, and services, advanced molecular and predictive diagnostic testing, and core diagnostics with gold-standard accuracy. 24x7 access to the most accomplished team of board-certified pathologists, medical consultants across 14 specialty areas, and industry-leading education round out our support for today's high-performance practices. Antech is helping to drive the future of veterinary care as part of Mars Petcare, a purpose-driven global business serving pets and pet owners through products and services within veterinary health and diagnostics, nutrition, innovation, and technology. Visit us at antechdiagnostics.com. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. References Christian M Leutenegger, et al. Frequency of intestinal parasites in dogs and cats identified by molecular diagnostics. ACVIM abstract 2023. Christian M Leutenegger, et al. Emergence of Acylostoma caninum parasites with the F167Y polymorphism in the US dog population. 2023. Int, J. Parasitol. Drugs Drug Resist. 21, 131-140. Christian M Leutenegger, et al. Associated of the novel benzimidazole resistance marker Q134H with F167Y in dogs with Ancylostoma caninum. ACVIM abstract 2023. Abhinaya Venkatesan, et al. Molecular evidence of widespread benzimidazole drug resistance in Ancylostoma caninum from domestic dogs throughout the USA and discovery of a novel β-tubulin benzimidazole resistance mutation. 2023. PLoS Pathog. Mar 2;19(3):e1011146. Logo - SOURCE Antech Diagnostics

NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AIkido Pharma Inc. (Nasdaq: AIKI) ("AIkido" or the "Company") today announced that the Company executed a Two Million Dollar Convertible Promissory Note Purchase Agreement with Convergent Therapeutics, Inc., securing an early investment in Convergent. Convergent has exclusive rights to technology related to next generation radiopharmaceutical therapy for prostate cancer that is covered by multiple issued U.S. and foreign patents. Convergent is currently conducting advanced human trials relating to prostate cancer treatments involving peptide receptor radionuclide therapy ("PRRT") that targets the prostate-specific membrane antigen ("PSMA") present on prostate cancer cells. The technology was developed under the direction of Dr. Neil Bander, Professor of Urologic Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine. The key component of Convergent's PRRT prostate cancer therapy is its proprietary drug, CONV 01-α, a monoclonal antibody conjugated with 225Ac, a radioactive alpha particle emitter. The function of CONV 01-α is unique in that it not only binds specifically to the PSMA receptor on prostate cancer cells, but also stimulates the internalization of the receptor along with itself and its powerful radioactive payload directly into tumor cells. Convergent is presently conducting two sets of human clinical trials using CONV 01-α as a single agent treatment for prostate cancer. The first is a Phase 1a/2a Single Ascending Dose Trial of CONV 01-α and the results are expected to be released in Q2 2021. In August of 2020, Convergent began a second Phase 1b/2a trial to test the efficacy of multiple ascending doses of CONV 01-α. If FDA approved, CONV 01-α would be the first antibody drug approved to direct a radioisotope into prostate cancer cells, and the first drug approved for the use of 225Ac in cancer treatment. Leveraging the ability of CONV 01-α to internalize the PSMA receptor along with molecules bound to it, Convergent has also developed a proprietary dual therapy by adding a second molecule that specifically binds to PSMA and also contains a radioactive isotope. Convergent has identified certain small molecules that bind to PSMA, but at a different epitope than does CONV 01-α, and therefore do not interfere with the binding of CONV 01-α or its ability to internalize PSMA. The result is that two different radioactive drugs are internalized directly into prostate cancer cells. Importantly, Convergent identified small molecules, with a current focus on the molecule PSMA I&T, that have different biodistributions in the body than does CONV 01-α, so as to reduce additive damage from using two radioactive agents. PSMA I&T is a molecule routinely used clinically to perform imaging to show the presence and distribution of PSMA in a prostate cancer patient. Preliminary animal data using this proprietary dual action PRRT indicate that the two molecules administered together act in a truly synergistic fashion, i.e., the effect of using both drugs together is significantly higher than the expected additive effects of using each separately. Convergent now has approval to begin human trials using CONV 01-α and PSMA I&T in a dual therapy, which are anticipated to begin in February of 2021. In these trials, Convergent will test PSMA I&T containing either 177Lu, a beta particle emitter, or 225Ac, the same alpha emitter in CONV 01-α. Convergent has approval to perform the three human trials listed below for this dual therapy, anticipated to begin in February of 2021: a Phase 1b/2a with the combination of CONV 01-α and PSMA I&T-β; a Phase 2b with the combination of PSMA I&T-β ± CONV 01-α, and a Phase 1b/2a with PSMA I&T-α ± CONV 01-α (i.e., both drugs with 225Ac, the α-particle emitter). Another company is currently studying PSMA I&T-β, containing 177Lu, and has just completed a phase 3 trial in prostate cancer. Separately, Novartis is pursuing FDA approval for another 177Lu-small molecule drug for prostate cancer treatment, designated 177Lu-PSMA-617, which also binds PSMA. Novartis has recently completed a phase 3 registration trial for treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), a form of advanced prostate cancer. Like PSMA I&T-β, Novartis's 177Lu-PSMA-617 may also be a promising candidate for use with CONV 01-α in the proprietary dual PRRT therapy. Anthony Hayes, CEO of Aikido, stated, "This is by far the most advanced technology in which the Company has participated. The first of the human trials is wrapping up, with data to be reported shortly, and with the remaining trials either underway or scheduled to begin imminently. Participation in this advanced work represents a major and potentially transformative step for the Company and we are honored to be a part of it. I optimistically anticipate the first of the results to be released next quarter. We will update our shareholders as soon as the data is released." About AIkido Pharma Inc. AIkido Pharma Inc. was initially formed in 1967 and is a biotechnology company with a diverse portfolio of small-molecule anti-cancer therapeutics. The Company's platform consists of patented technology from leading universities and researchers and we are currently in the process of developing an innovative therapeutic drug platform through strong partnerships with world renowned educational institutions, including The University of Texas at Austin and Wake Forest University. Our diverse pipeline of therapeutics includes therapies for pancreatic cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In addition, we are constantly seeking to grow our pipeline to treat unmet medical needs in oncology. The Company is also developing a broad-spectrum antiviral platform that may potentially inhibit replication of multiple viruses including Influenza, SARS-CoV (coronavirus), MERS-CoV, Ebolavirus and Marburg virus. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those set forth in the Company's filings with the SEC, not limited to Risk Factors relating to its business contained therein. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Contact: Company Codes: NASDAQ-SMALL:SPEX, Frankfurt:BP2M, NASDAQ-NMS:AIKI