FC RECEPTOR ON WHITE BLOOD CELLS TRIGGERS RELEASE OF TNFA.

Prima Biomed Limited (ASX: PRR) subsidiary, Arthron Pty Ltd, has direct evidence that the receptor being targeted by Arthron is responsible for the release of key inflammatory chemicals responsible for rheumatoid arthritis.

Over the past three years, several drug products have been launched that act downstream from the trigger of rheumatoid arthritis. These drugs inhibit the inflammatory chemical Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFa). Arthron has recently demonstrated that activation of its proprietary target, the Fc receptor on white blood cells is a major source of release of high levels of TNFa.

"TNFa is released by activated inflammatory white blood cells (macrophages) and we have demonstrated that activation of the Fc receptor triggers this release. As the Fc receptor is clearly upstream of TNFa release, inhibition of this receptor offers a potentially highly effective method of removing TNFa's effect on disease" said Prof. Mark Hogarth, chief scientific officer of Arthron.

"Several products including Enbrel (Genentech), Remicade (J&J) and Humira (Abbott Laboratories) act to mop up the TNFa released and we are developing drug molecules to prevent the release of TNFa. In addition, inhibition of the Fc receptor is likely shut down the release of other damaging chemicals that are triggered with TNFa."

One of the issues with TNFa inhibitors currently on the market is that they are injectable products. Arthron is developing a small chemical entity approach to inhibiting the Fc receptor which will be developed in tablet form. Experiments being undertaken demonstrate that the compounds being developed by Arthron can shutdown TNFa release from human blood cells.

Arthron has a very strong intellectual property position covering both the Fc receptor and the drug compounds that target the receptor and believes that as a result it can avoid the patent disputes which have impacted upon other participants in this field. Arthron is currently in discussions with a number of companies to co-develop and license the technology to secure access to additional expertise and resources to develop a marketable drug for testing in human clinical trials. The company is confident that its intellectual property and technical package creates an opportunity for a very significant new therapeutic for rheumatoid arthritis.

About Prima Biomed

Based in Melbourne, Prima Biomed (ASX: PRR) is a biotechnology organisation with first and last rights over technologies from the Austin Research Institute. Prima Biomed specializes in immunology and cancer immunotherapy and adopts technology development that shows potential for commercial returns within three years.

For more information, visit http://www.primabiomed.com.au.