ImmuneRegen BioSciences (ImmuneRegen) has presented additional positive results from a recent study that evaluated its lead anti-influenza drug, Homspera, in ferrets.
The study performed at a public University under the guidance of a world-renowned influenza expert, utilized a ‘real-world’ scenario of highly pathogenic influenza infection by a clade 2.2 H5N1 virus and drug treatment beginning one day following influenza infection, coinciding with emergence of the first symptoms, said the company.
The newly obtained data reveal Homspera treatment resulted in a decrease in viral titers (concentration of virus particles) at 5 days post-infection, indicative of an anti-viral effect of Homspera. The company said that previously reported findings from the study revealed that Homspera treatment starting 1 day following influenza infection dramatically reduced symptoms of influenza infection and increased survival by 60 percent over infected controls.
Hal Siegel, vice president and chief scientific officer of ImmuneRegen, said: “These new findings are exciting. The reduction in viral titers in the Homspera-treated animals complements the reductions in symptom severity and increases in survival we announced previously and provides credence to the anti-viral mechanism of action of Homspera we’ve hypothesized.
“We previously showed reductions in nasal virus titer in cotton rats infected with seasonal influenza, and inhibition of the lung damage in mice and rats as is typically seen in influenza infection.
“These data from highly pathogenic influenza virus infection in ferrets provide further support that Homspera treatment reduces viral titers and improves recovery and survival in models of influenza infection. We are focused on ways to aggressively advance this program toward the clinic.”