Innovation Pharmaceuticals Inc (IPIX)

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Innovation Pharmaceuticals Receives Data Supporting Brilacidin’s Direct Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2, the Novel Coronavirus Responsible for COVID-19

WAKEFIELD, MA – April 1, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) Innovation Pharmaceuticals (OTCQB:IPIX) (“the Company”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, announced today it has received data supporting Brilacidin’s direct inhibition of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19. The testing of Brilacidin was conducted by researchers at one of the U.S. Regional Biocontainment Laboratories (RBLs). Few compounds have shown activity against SARS-CoV-2, as summarized in the article linked below.

Andersen P, et al. “Discovery and Development of Safe-in-Man Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Agents.” Int J Infect Dis. 2020 Feb 17;93:268-276. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.02.018.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S120197122030076X
https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S120197122030076X-gr5.jpg

VERO cells, a monkey kidney cell line commonly used to screen small molecule inhibitors of viruses, were used to test whether Brilacidin inhibits SARS-CoV-2. Cells were pretreated with Brilacidin at increasing concentrations (at 2 µM and at 10 µM) for two hours prior to the infection. Cells treated with the vehicle alone (Dimethyl sulfoxide or DMSO) were maintained alongside, as controls. At 16 hours post-infection (16hpi), researchers observed a dose-dependent reduction in the SARS-CoV-2 infectious viral titers from the Brilacidin treated cells as compared to the vehicle-alone control, as shown below. (The higher number of asterisks denote higher statistical significance compared to control.)

RBL Figure 1


The Company is reviewing data received yesterday and anticipates more data will be forthcoming. Following discussions with researchers at the RBL, the Company will provide additional information and insight into possible joint research plans going forward. It is management’s understanding that few compounds advance to this next stage of SARS-CoV-2 research.

In a broader context, demonstration of Brilacidin’s direct antiviral activity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus supports the drug’s unique 3-in-1 therapeutic potential—antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial—to treat COVID-19 and its associated complications. Additional data, based on successfully completed Phase 2 clinical studies in other clinical indications, using various modes of administration, show Brilacidin’s ability to inhibit interleukin-6 (IL-6) and other pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, identified as central drivers in the worsening prognoses of COVID-19 patients. Brilacidin’s robust antimicrobial properties might also help fight secondary bacterial infections, which can co-present in patients with COVID-19