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In Vitro Testing of Innovation Pharmaceuticals’ Brilacidin for COVID-19 Shows Consistent Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Efficacy; Manufacturing Preparation Underway for COVID-19 Clinical Trial
In Vitro Testing of Innovation Pharmaceuticals’ Brilacidin for COVID-19 Shows Consistent Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Efficacy; Manufacturing Preparation Underway for COVID-19 Clinical Trial.
About this update from Innovation Pharmaceuticals Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n WAKEFIELD, Mass., July 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innovation Pharmaceuticals (OTCQB:IPIX) (“the Company”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, today reports the latest developments related to research into Brilacidin as a potential treatment for COVID-19. As previously disclosed, Brilacidin is being evaluated at a U.S. Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) and has consistently demonstrated robust in vitro antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19. Most recently, Brilacidin exhibited a statistically significant (p<0.0001) and potent inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2 in a human lung epithelial cell line, reducing viral load by up to 97% compared to control. The primary investigator at the RBL noted that the human lung cell experiments reflect a similarly robust in vitro antiviral signal against SARS-CoV-2 as assessed in vero cells (animal), with Brilacidin showing consistent demonstration of efficacy across different cell lines. Brilacidin also appears to be showing greatest efficacy in testing when administered as a pre-treatment (virus pre-incubated with Brilacidin prior to infection), in addition to being present during and post-infection. RBL scientists next plan to determine, in human lung cells, Brilacidin’s Selectivity Index—a ratio determined from in vitro data that compares a drug’s cytotoxicity and antiviral activity. The higher the SI ratio, the more effective and safe a drug has the potential to be in the clinic. These data will help to inform Brilacidin’s inhibitory properties against the novel coronavirus, and allow comparison to other treatments, all to be detailed in a planned peer-review publication. The Company also reports that all preferred shares and warrants previously allotted as part of a financing arrangement have been exercised, establishing a cash balance of approximately $6 Million as of June 30, 2020. “With cash reserves in place, we are now planning to quickly prioritize key programs in our pipeline,” commented Leo Ehrlich, Chief Executive Officer at Innovation Pharmaceuticals. “The world continues to suffer from the coronavirus pandemic, both in lives lost and economic devastation. We steadfastly believe that Brilacidin could play a significant role in treating this highly contagious a...