I'm hopeful, but don't understand who the "government" in its various forms funds / favors and why. Having the government pick winners often isn't a good idea in general (Solyndra anyone?). I'm not sure why BARDA chose to fund vaccines from MRNA, NVAX, J&J, and AstraZeneca, but not INO for instance. CEPI funded MRNA, INO, and NVAX I believe, but not others. Gates foundation funded INO and some others, and DARPA INO and a few others. So who knows. I think if you have promising data, you will hopefully get money. ATHX supposedly has been negotiating with BARDA now for close to 3+ months and still no funding. MRNA and ATHX raised money on their own, and then BARDA may come through later (did for MRNA, not yet for ATHX - if at all). And ATHX is the only company ever to have run a successful phase II trial against ARDS (especially viral / pneumonia induced ARDS).
Many promising biotechs have their hands out asking for government or NGO grant money to fund COVID-19 trials. I would guess $20M would cover IPIX phase 1b (dosing) / 2 trial, of 1-200 subjects.
Regarding BP, I think beggars (IPIX) can't be choosers. I may be the only investor to find this a little embarassing to have this in the PR: "For researchers and institutions interested in collaborating on Brilacidin for COVID-19, please send inquiries to: covid19@ipharminc.com." Maybe they are thinking along your lines, because it doesn't say "BP partners" please call us! Then again, maybe Locust Walk is handling that aspect for them too for brilacidin in Covid-19 in addition to brilacidin for OM and UC pill. I know Pfizer advertised they would be willing to help smaller biotechs with promising drugs to run some trials, and I would be thrilled if that happened.
It's great to have drugs worthy of testing and mostly ready to go, but it's not a good feeling knowing IPIX doesn't have the funds to run any trials on their own right now.
What are your thoughts on possible funding amounts, partners, trial size, timelines and such for COVID-19?
