Open Orphan spin-out Poolbeg Pharma said that it has acquired an exclusive license for an intranasal RNA-based immunotherapy for the prevention and treatment of viral respiratory infections from the University of Warwick. According to the company, in vivo studies have demonstrated that the antiviral, which Poolbeg is calling POLB 002, has the potential to be effective against a broad range of respiratory viruses including flu, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2.
University of Warwick Professor Andrew Easton said, “Currently most respiratory virus infections cannot be treated despite being responsible for millions of deaths each year. This is a very exciting new approach with great potential. We are delighted to be developing it alongside the Poolbeg Pharma team, with their extensive knowledge and experience in the sector.”
Poolbeg Pharma CEO Jeremy Skillington commented, “This dual action immunotherapy developed by the team at University of Warwick is a really exciting technology in the field of respiratory virus disease treatments. The data shows it to rapidly reduce viral load and also prevent the likelihood of virus resistance. It will be an excellent addition to our growing pipeline of assets and we plan to move rapidly towards human proof-of-concept studies using our capital light clinical model. We look forward to updating the market as POLB 002 progresses through the clinic with the ultimate aim of partnering it with Big Pharma.”
Read the Poolbeg Pharma press release.
