RedHill Biopharma Ltd (RDHL)

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RedHill's Opaganib Selected for Evaluation by BARDA and NIH Countermeasures Programs

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/redhills-opaganib-selected-evaluation-barda-120000143.html

The U.S. government's Chemical Medical Countermeasures (Chem MCM) Program and Chemical Countermeasures Research Program (CCRP), managed respectively by ASPR/BARDA and NIH/NIAID, in collaboration with Battelle[1], have selected opaganib for evaluation as a potential medical countermeasure (MCM) against Sulfur Mustard exposure

Opaganib, a novel oral small molecule, is the first sphingosine kinase-2 (SPHK2) inhibitor investigational drug targeting sphingolipid metabolism to be evaluated as a chemical countermeasure

Selection for the therapeutic testing/screening program, following opaganib's previous acceptance into the Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP) for Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS), provides the potential to see broad activity across both radiation and Sulfur Mustard injuries

Opaganib has five-year shelf-life and is easy to administer and distribute for use against potential chemical weapon attack, if approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Opaganib is being developed for multiple additional indications, including COVID-19, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and oncology

TEL AVIV, Israel and RALEIGH, N.C., March 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- RedHill Biopharma Ltd. (Nasdaq: RDHL) ("RedHill" or the "Company"), a specialty biopharmaceutical company, together with its partner Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, today announced that opaganib[2] has been selected by the U.S. government's Chemical Medical Countermeasures (Chem MCM) Program and Chemical Countermeasures Research Program (CCRP) for evaluation as a potential medical countermeasure (MCM) against inhalation Sulfur Mustard exposure. The overall evaluation will also include assessment of opaganib's efficacy against sub-chronic fibrosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) resulting from Sulfur Mustard exposure.

The Chem MCM Program is administered by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a component of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the CCRP is managed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the HHS National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Sulfur Mustard is a powerful alkylating chemical warfare agent. Exposure to Sulfur Mustard causes extensive skin blistering and severe injury to the eyes, lungs, and multiple organs, causing potentially fatal damage. Primarily affecting the lungs, Sulfur Mustard poisoning can result in symptoms such as acute lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, bronchiolitis obliterans, fibrosis, and subsequent associated infections.

"With the alarming increase in global geo-political instability, the opportunity to evaluate opaganib as a potential vital protective agent against chemical attack is inspiring. We, and our development partner, Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, are delighted to partner with the NIH/NIAID, ASPR/BARDA, and Battelle in our efforts to make a significant difference in this area of huge medical and societal need," said Dror Ben-Asher, RedHill's Chief Executive Officer. "Opaganib is the first selective sphingosine kinase-2 (SPHK2) inhibitor investigational drug targeting sphingolipid metabolism to be evaluated as a chemical countermeasure. Its selection for the U.S. government's Chemical Countermeasures Research Program, following opaganib's previous acceptance into the U.S government's Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program for Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS), provides the potential to see broad activity across both radiation and Sulfur Mustard injuries."

Opaganib, a novel oral, small molecule pill with a five-year shelf-life, is easy to administer and distribute for use against potential chemical weapon attack, if approved by the FDA.

About Opaganib (ABC294640)
Opaganib, a proprietary investigational host-directed and potentially broad-acting drug, is a first-in-class, orally administered sphingosine kinase-2 (SPHK2) selective inhibitor with anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity, targeting multiple potential diseases, including gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome (GI-ARS), COVID-19, other viruses as part of pandemic preparedness, and cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer).

Opaganib's host-directed action is thought to work through the inhibition of multiple pathways, the induction of autophagy and apoptosis, and disruption of viral replication, through simultaneous inhibition of three sphingolipid-metabolizing enzymes in human cells (SPHK2, DES1 and GCS).

Opaganib was selected by the U.S. government's Radiation and Nuclear Countermeasures Program (RNCP), led by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the HHS National Institutes of Health, for the nuclear medical countermeasures product development pipeline as a potential treatment for Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS).

Opaganib has demonstrated antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, multiple variants, and several other viruses, such as Influenza A. Opaganib also recently demonstrated a distinct synergistic effect when combined individually with remdesivir (Veklury®, Gilead Sciences Inc., Nasdaq: GILD), significantly improving potency while maintaining cell viability, in a U.S. Army-funded and conducted in vitro Ebola virus study.

Being host-targeted, and based on data accumulated to date, opaganib is expected to maintain effect against emerging viral variants. In prespecified analyses of Phase 2/3 clinical data in hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19, oral opaganib demonstrated improved viral RNA clearance, faster time to recovery and significant mortality reduction in key patient subpopulations versus placebo on top of standard of care. Opaganib has demonstrated its safety and tolerability profile in more than 470 people in multiple clinical studies and expanded access use. Data from the opaganib global Phase 2/3 study was published in medRxiv.

Opaganib has received Orphan Drug designation from the FDA for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma and has undergone studies in advanced cholangiocarcinoma (Phase 2a) and prostate cancer. Opaganib also has a Phase 1 chemoradiotherapy study protocol ready for FDA-IND submission.

Opaganib has also shown positive preclinical results in renal fibrosis, and has the potential to target multiple oncology, radioprotection, viral, inflammatory, and gastrointestinal indications.

About Battelle
Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.