QBiotics was established in July 2004 to develop the drug EBC-46 that was discovered by parent company EcoBiotics using its EcoLogicTM discovery process.
EBC-46 is a bioactive molecule that has been disco from the seed of a shrub native to the rainforests of Far North Queensland.
Animal trials have shown EBC-46 to be an effective anti-cancer drug that has the potential of being a ‘blockbuster’ treatment (a ’blockbuster’ treatment is a drug that has annual sales in excess of $1bn).
- Skin cancers including Melanomas, Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCC) & Basal Cell Carcinomas (BCC)
- Head & neck cancers
- Breast cancers
- Prostate cancers
These are amongst the most common cancers in the world. Cancer is a major health problem:
- One in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85.
- Cancer is a leading cause of death in Australia – more than 43,000 people are expected to die from
cancer in 2010.
- Cancer costs $3.8 billion in direct health system costs (7.2%).
With mortality rates for cancer increasing all around the globe, and with drugs already in the market which are in demand merely for extending life by a few weeks, EBC-46 is a compelling development in the world of cancer treatment. Channel Seven’s Sunrise program has featured the product and herald it as “an exciting prospect for the future”. Channel Nine’s A Current Affair program described EBC-46 as “the cancer killer”.
QBiotics is working towards making EBC-46 commercially available for the veterinary markets in Australia in 2010. Human clinical trials will also commence in early 2011, however it will be some time before it is commercially available for humans.
For more information regarding human use, please click here