About Us
Corporate Overview
BromAc® was discovered by our group of clinicians and scientists, who specialise in treating patients with advanced cancers of the peritoneum. We were screening for possible therapies for rare disease of the appendix, pseudomyxoma peritonei. Our laboratory research work lead to the discovery of our drug BromAc®, which removes mucin from cancer cells and sensitises cancer cells to chemotherapy agents.
Established in 2017 by Professor David Morris (Surgical Oncologist, Department of Surgery, St George Hospital & University of New South Wales) and the Herszberg Family, Mucpharm has grown to become a specialised company focused on the treatment of mucin-containing and secreting cancers and other diseases involving glycoproteins. Since then, Mucpharm has developed global collaborative partnerships, well supported scientifically and funded by aligned organisations and investors.
Our Mission
To provide more effective treatment options for patients with mucin related diseases
Mucpharm is a specialised company focused on the treatment of mucin-containing and secreting conditions. Our company was established by a group of clinicians and scientists, who specialise in treating patients with advanced cancers of the peritoneum.
Mucpharm’s aim is to develop BromAc® for a rare disease in oncology, known as pseudomyxoma peritonei. We have grown and continue to focus on the treatment of mucin-containing and secreting cancers and other disease conditions, with BromAc® as our lead compound.
Many diseases involve mucin. Mucin is a barrier to cancer and targeted therapies due to promoting chemoresistance, invasiveness and metastasis. We have demonstrated in a number of studies that BromAc® removes mucin from cancer cells, sensitizing them to chemotherapy and other treatment agents. The efficacy of BromAc® in advanced cancers is being explored in phase 2 studies.
The role of mucin in a range of respiratory diseases is already established, leading to a decline in respiratory function and secondary infections in some cases. The role of BromAc® in these conditions is being investigated in clinical trials.
We seek to continue to grow scientific and clinical research based in Australia and engage in global partnerships to strengthen the development of products for unmet medical need and rare disease areas
Program Lead Scientists
Dr Javed Akhter Laboratory Manager, Cell Biologist
Dr Ahmed Mekkawy Pre-Clinical Research and Immunology
Dr Krishna Pillai Organic Chemist, Pharmacologist
Dr Mathew Eapen Respiratory Pre-Clinical Research
Mucpharm collaborates with several scientific teams in Australia, the United States, Brazil and Europe to develop the clinical and preclinical programs in infectious diseases and oncology.
Management Committee
Prof David L Morris MBChB FRCS FRCSE MD PhD FRACS Myer Herszberg Mark Lawrence
CEO, Co-Founder Chairman, Co-Founder Director
Dr Jon Fairweather BSc (Hons) PhD Sarah Valle BMedSc BN Steven Davis
Head of CMC Clinical & Regulatory Board Advisor - US and EU relations
Mucpharm’s Scientific Advisory Team includes experts in surgical and medical oncology, intensive care, infectious diseases, respiratory physicians and consultants with preclinical and clinical pharmaceutical development backgrounds. We are grateful that we have a broad team of highly regarded international experts and patient advisory groups supporting us through our development program.