Melbourne immunotherapy company Anadis [ASX: ANX] has commenced clinical trials of a new inflammatory bowel disease treatment.

The trials are being conducted at the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv, Israel. The first patients have already entered into the trial, expected to be completed during 2009.

The clinical trial follows a pilot study conducted at St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne.

Anadis has a product portfolio based on bovine colostrum containing targeted polyclonal antibodies. The technology is considered passive immunisation, as opposed to active immunisation such as vaccination, and is aimed at giving immediate protection from a range of bacteria.

The company is developing products against a range of bacteria including C. difficile, Yersinis pestis (plague), anthrax and shigatoxin.

The IBD application is part of Anadis' ANX2000 series for traveller's diarrhoea and irritable bowel syndrome.

It has also recently been awarded a grant for a clinical trial of polyclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer-related mucositis.