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Antisense Therapeutics utilizes antisense technology to create, develop and commercialize antisense pharmaceuticals. Two forms of protein translation interfence (both involve interfering with gene expression) have emrged in recent years - both have some similarities.

1. Antisense (emerged in the 1990s)
2. Interfering RNA (siRNA, emerged in the early 2000 era)

Approximate cash reserves December 2011 (post-rights issue): approx. $1.49 million

Antisense has exclusive world-wide rights concerning three compounds (ATL1101, ATL1102 and ATL1103) that are in-licensed from its technology and collaboration partner Isis Pharmaceuticals in the United States, a world leader in antisense drug development and commercialisation.

Antisense’s three compounds have multiple disease applications including cancer, multiple sclerosis,asthma and growth and sight disorders such as acromegaly and diabetic retinopathy.

The Company’s strategy is to develop its compounds in order to build the value of any futurecommercialisation transaction where the Company may out-license these drugs to suitable partners for further development and marketing, in which case Antisense would anticipate receiving fees and payments upon reaching certain development milestones and then royalties on drug sales.

The Company is moving ATL1103 for growth and sight disorders into Phase III – following a successfully completing dosing in a Phase I clinical trial in December 2011.

ATL1101 for cancer has generated positive pharmacology with significant suppression of key tumour signalling pathways and prostate tumour growth. The Company has also completed certain toxicology studies and ATL1101 is currently being tested by a specialist oncology company in its animal cancer models with a view to potential licensing.

ATL1102 successfully completed Phase II trials in multiple sclerosis patients. The drug was previously licensed to Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. The Company is now seeking a new partner to continue the development of ATL1102 and has received preliminary interest from other pharmaceutical companies.

The Company is also looking to exploit an inhaled application of ATL1102. Such an approach has previously demonstrated positive effects in an acute asthma animal model. There is growing evidence of the clinical activity of inhaled antisense compounds and the Company is looking to partner this inhaled application of ATL1102.

The licensing strategy is in place for ATL1101 for cancer, ATL1102 for multiple sclerosis/asthma and the Company has an exciting project to further develop with ATL1103 for growth and sight disorders.

Possible competitors:
 - Pharmaxis (Asthma related to ATL1102)
 - Isis Pharmaceuticals
 - Gene Signal (Antisense)
 - DendriMed (siRNA)
 - Benitec (siRNA)