According to Pneumagen, the company has closed a £3.8 million funding round led by Thairm Bio and Scottish Enterprise, with proceeds intended to fund GMP manufacturing and Phase 2 development of its Neumifil carbohydrate binding module (mCBM) nasal spray for the prevention of respiratory viruses. Pneumagen initiated a Phase 1 study of Neumifil in November 2021 and says that that study is ongoing, with topline results expected by mid-year.
The company says that the nasal spray has shown potent activity against a wide range of respiratory viruses in pre-clinical testing, including influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2. In March 2021, Pneumagen presented preclinical data showing the potential of Neumifil against COVID-19.
The new funding will go toward a Phase 2 challenge study of Neumifil against influenza conducted by hVIVO that is expected to begin later this year; the conclusion of GLP toxicology studies; and GMP manufacturing of Neumifil by CDMO Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies.
Pneumagen CEO Douglas Thomson said, “This further funding ensures that we can continue the rapid clinical development progress of Neumifil. Our agreements with hVIVO and Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies are significant operational advances as we execute our Phase 2 clinical program in 2022. Neumifil has the potential to significantly improve the lives of patients suffering from viral respiratory tract infections. As a pan-antiviral, easy to use, self-administered novel treatment option, Neumifil has the potential to have a significant impact on decreasing the risk of hospitalization and death, through the prevention and treatment of multiple respiratory viral infections, for patients who suffer from viral exacerbations of underlying chronic lung disease.”
Read the Pneumagen press release.
