RECCE technology now shows performance against cancer

 Australian early-stage pharmaceutical company, Recce Ltd (ASX: RCE) today announced that  RECCE^® antibiotic has demonstrated effective anti-cancer activities against 7 human cell lines of cancers: Leukaemia, stomach, intestine, breast, prostate, melanoma and kidney in in vitro tests conducted by an independent specialist laboratory in USA.

To demonstrate specificity of these anti-cancer activities, concentrations of RECCE^® antibiotic described as successful against the cancer lines, were additionally tested, and found to be non-toxic against normal human epithelial cells or Vero (monkey) cells.

 At any time, this finding would be considered to be of great potential medical importance – and even more so in this case, because antibiotic activity and anti-cancer activity are found in the same product.  This emphasis is made since inflammation from prolonged bacterial activity is increasingly being associated with the propensity for cancer; the classic example is infection by Helicobacter pylori bacteria being strongly associated with inflammation and the subsequent development of cancer in the stomach and duodenum of the upper intestines of humans.

Dr Graham Melrose, Executive Chairman of Recce Ltd, commented “Exciting as this finding is, it is cautioned that much work remains to confirm any relevance of these findings to the possibility of developing a commercial medical product.  This development is part of Recce’s current, priority assessment of the range of potential markets which may be accessible through its patented polymer technology”.

The Company has lodged a provisional patent application to protect its rights from these findings and its creative theories which are the logical basis of this development.

These findings are illustrated in detail in the following table and graphs:

Concentrations of Control and RECCE^® antibiotic, respectively, over 3 days, giving 50% loss of cancer-cell activity 

 ¹ Tamoxifen Citrate is a commercial human anti-cancer drug, used for Control and comparative purposes.

For further information please click on this link http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20160314/pdf/435srcx151bgnk.pdf 

or visit www.recce.com.au or contact: 

Investor Relations Peter Williams CFO & Company Secretary Recce Ltd Tel: +61 8 9253 9800

Media Communication Karen Oswald – karen.oswald@markocommunications.com.au Gary Buchholz – gary@markocommunications.com.au Marko Communications Tel: +61 423 602 353

 About Recce Ltd

Recce Ltd (ASX: RCE), led by Dr Graham Melrose, is a world-leader in synthetic-polymer antibiotics.  RECCE^® antibiotics have been synthesised by an extremely simple and economic method.

RECCE^® antibiotics have shown in laboratory tests that they have continued activity against bacteria including superbugs, even after repeated use.

Recce is positioned to achieve milestones in both pre-clinical trials for FDA purposes and the development of a pilot plant for flow-system manufacture of RECCE^® antibiotics.

Q&A’s

 What do these results really mean to Recce?

 Dr Graham Melrose, Executive Chairman of Recce Ltd, commented: “It’s too early to say but we’re following them up with a lot of interest.”

“Our patent application stops opponents entering our technology by claiming anti-cancer properties of our polymer; at the least, this is a successful defensive tactic by us."

“It’s timely to resolve this potential now – the chemistry and safety testing we are currently doing for antibiotic applications is applicable to anti-cancer applications as well – no additional expense here.”

 How does the technology work?

RECCE^® antibiotics have demonstrated in the laboratory – and now in tests within mice, to be effective against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including their superbug forms – and to keep on killing even after repeated use. This is where many commercial antibiotics are failing – and RECCE antibiotics have succeeded.

The latest test results show a breakthrough of the technology where the same antibiotic may be effective in the fight against seven cancer types as indicated, making the product very versatile across many applications.

Michele Dilizia, Executive Director (Regulatory & Microbiology) commented: “The idea of synergy between antibacterial and anti-cancer really stirs the imagination.”

Where does that leave Recce?

Already, the Company has lodged a provisional patent application to protect its rights from these findings and its related, creative theories. 

Given the encouraging results from the in vitro tests, the Company’s immediate focus is to undertake further oncology programs to confirm a ‘proof-of-concept’.

The Company is continuing to focus its valuable resources on achieving high value opportunities.

James Graham, Executive Director (Marketing & Business Development) commented: “This new perspective of anti-cancer strongly supports the technology applications for RECCE^® antibiotics - a marketer’s dream.”