Chronic inflammation can be caused by autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases affect millions of people globally. The market is large in terms of patients requiring treatment, and potential to generate revenue.

Although the current use of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) biologics for a selection of autoimmune diseases is well established, there are still large resources devoted to finding other drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.

Anti-tumour necrosis factor drugs are also coming off patent, and there are indications that generic antibodies are being developed in the US, Europe and China to enter this market. New drugs under patent will have a significantly longer life of premium pricing compared to existing biological treatments.

In 2023, three of the top 10 drugs globally were for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, specifically rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). These three drugs alone represented approximately $US36 billion in global sales.

Also, existing biological drugs used for treating autoimmune diseases
appear to work only in 50% to 70% of patients. Furthermore, current immunosuppressive drugs used in the treatment of autoimmune
diseases have demonstrated some significant adverse side effects.

This represents a medical problem and a commercial opportunity.
Assuming each patient can continue with a biological drug even for
five years, there is a need for new and better drugs to supplant an
existing drug over the remaining lifespan of the patient – typically
somewhere between 20 and 40 years.

Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks
healthy organs.
‍

Autoimmune diseases include:

‍
‍Rheumatoid arthritis – Perhaps the best known and most prevalent autoimmune disease. It attacks the lining of the joints and causes inflammation, typically resulting in pain, reduced mobility and loss of
dexterity. The condition is chronic, debilitating and progressive.