Replies to post #330473 on Innovation Pharmaceuticals Inc (IPIX)

[KMBJN]

Yes, antivirals typically don't do well at the later, hyperimmune phase of disease. Sadly, brilacidin could be in the same boat, where it works great to attack the virus early in the disease state and prevents the infection from spreading and the infection from getting worse, but doesn't do as much later in the disease when the problem is the immune system wreaking havoc.

Brilacidin is potentially very wonderful, however, in that it has some anti-inflammatory properties too, plus some potential viral replication inhibition (of main protease) for already infected cells, and definite antibacterial properties, too.

The paper did a great job showing that the main anti-viral effects of brilacidin were via direct destruction of virus or prevention of viral entry into the cell. Was very excited to see those studies we had pondered about: adding brilacidin to virus inocculum for 1 hour before adding to cell culture caused the virus innoculum to be much less infective. Treating ("killing") the virus before it can enter the cell was synergistic with using brilacidin on the cells for 24 hours after infection. It was further synergistic with remdesivir, which inhibits viral RNA replication.

It looks like brilacidin will be most effective as an antiviral when given early in disease, similar to these neutralizing antibodies from REGN and LLY and also convalescent plasma. Even remdesivir as viral replication inhibitor did best when given earlier.

Should be much cheaper and easier to administer than neutralizing antibodies. Someone really should give them some money so they can work on the inhaled formulation.

Can't wait to get the trial started. I hope they study early and later stage patients both, and also with and without remdesivir.

Exciting paper, and have to hope the potential main protease inhibition and anti-inflammatory properties of brilacidin combined with potent virucidal and viral entry inhbition will make it a good treatment for more severe disease, with high viral load inside cells already and the main problem being the immune system.