How the platform works:

The first step is the design of proprietary vaccine which will produce antibodies targeted at the specific antigen of interest. This work is undertaken by Immuron. All vaccines are produced according to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and is approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority. The cows are then vaccinated by a qualified veterinarian with the proprietary vaccine. The polyclonal antibodies are collected from the first milking after calving. Calves are also fed colostrums as required and, since domesticated cows produce more colostrum than calves require, there is sufficient colostrums for both the calves’ and Immuron’s needs.     Primary colostrum contains a naturally high concentration of immunoglobulins and other milk proteins including antigen target immunoglobulins specific to the vaccine. The active ingredients are then freeze dried into powder (bovine colostrum powder - BCP) and can be packed as tablets, capsules, and bulk dry powders.

Immuron’s dairy derived polyclonal antibody platform has considerable advantages which include:

•    Products have an established safety profile which allows for the prospect of fast track preclinical development and the prospect of a fast track clinical program towards marketing approval. This is a function of the products being dairy derived and not being absorbed into the blood stream.

•    The products are suitable for oral administration and do not need to be injected due to not being destroyed in the stomach. Monoclonal antibodies and other proteins are usually administered only by injection.

•    A versatility allowing use in numerous therapeutic applications as demonstrated by the Immuron’s product pipeline and early stage research.The antibodies can be used to directly block viruses or bacteria at mucosal surfaces such as that of the GI tract or can be used to influence the cell-mediated immune system by shifting T regulatory cell populations.

•    Polyclonal antibodies have the ability to target antigens in a less specific manner which improves their efficacy in the case of mutating bacteria and viruses. This is extremely important in terms of infectious diseases.

•    High volume production at low cost. Cost efficiency is achieved due to our access to a large number of dairy herds and large scale processing facilities. Production of monoclonal antibodies costs in the region of $50,000 per gram whereas Immuron’s polyclonal antibodies cost less than $1 per gram.