Poolbeg Pharma PLC Exclusive license of RNA-based immunotherapy asset (5587Y)
January 17 2022 - 1:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMPOLB
RNS Number : 5587Y
Poolbeg Pharma PLC
17 January 2022
Poolbeg Pharma plc
Poolbeg Pharma licences first-in-class broad spectrum RNA-based
immunotherapy for respiratory virus infections from the University
of Warwick
17 January, 2022 - Poolbeg Pharma (AIM: POLB, 'Poolbeg' or the
'Company'), a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical
company with a capital light clinical model, has in-licenced a
novel, first-in-class RNA-based immunotherapy for respiratory virus
infections developed at the University of Warwick .
Poolbeg has secured an exclusive licence to this dual antiviral
prophylactic and therapeutic candidate, which is at a
late-pre-clinical development stage. In vivo data confirms that
this immunotherapy asset targets pan-respiratory virus infections,
which could include influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),
SARS-CoV-2 and others.
The candidate, which will be developed by Poolbeg as POLB 002,
was developed at the University of Warwick and derived from twenty
years of research with world class virologists, Professor Andrew
Easton and Professor Nigel Dimmock.
Administered intra-nasally, this RNA-based immunotherapy works
by triggering nasal cells into an antiviral state to protect from
the infecting virus. Simultaneously, it blocks the cells from
making more virus by directly preventing its replication. Both
modes of action combined can reduce infectious viral loads and
improve disease symptoms. As a nasally administered and rapidly
effective prophylactic antiviral candidate, it could potentially
provide an effective solution for protecting at risk patient
populations (e.g. the elderly, COPD patients, and asthmatics).
Respiratory virus infections are considered a top five global
killer resulting in more than three million annual deaths
worldwide. There is a significant unmet need for improved
respiratory virus infection therapies and the current available
treatments, vaccines and antiviral drugs, are typically pathogen
specific. Consequently, 85% of illnesses caused by non-influenza
viruses cannot be adequately treated and the emergence of
resistance is also a major concern.
Jeremy Skillington, PhD, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma, said: "This dual
action immunotherapy developed by the team at University of Warwick
is a really exciting technology in the field of respiratory virus
disease treatments. The data shows it to rapidly reduce viral load
and also prevent the likelihood of virus resistance.
"It will be an excellent addition to our growing pipeline of
assets and we plan to move rapidly towards human proof-of-concept
studies using our capital light clinical model. We look forward to
updating the market as POLB 002 progresses through the clinic with
the ultimate aim of partnering it with Big Pharma."
Professor Andrew Easton, from the School of Life Sciences at the
University of Warwick, said: "Currently most respiratory virus
infections cannot be treated despite being responsible for millions
of deaths each year. This is a very exciting new approach with
great potential. We are delighted to be developing it alongside the
Poolbeg Pharma team, with their extensive knowledge and experience
in the sector."
- Ends -
Enquiries
Poolbeg Pharma Plc
Jeremy Skillington, CEO
Ian O'Connell, CFO +353 (0) 1 644 0007
finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser & Joint
Broker)
Geoff Nash, James Thompson, Charlie +44 (0) 20 7220
Beeson 0500
Arden Partners PLC (Joint Broker) +44 (0) 207 614
John Lewellyn-Lloyd, Louisa Waddell 5900
J&E Davy (Joint Broker)
Anthony Farrell, Niall Gilchrist +353 (0) 1 679 6363
Instinctif Partners +44 (0) 20 7457
Melanie Toyne Sewell, Rozi Morris, 2020
Tim Field poolbeg@instinctif.com
University of Warwick +44 (0) 7920 531
Alice Scott - Media Relations Manager 221
Alice.j.scott@warwick.ac.uk
About Poolbeg Pharma
Poolbeg Pharma is a clinical stage infectious disease
pharmaceutical company, with a capital light clinical model which
aims to develop multiple products faster and more cost effectively
than the conventional biotech model. The Company, headquartered in
London, is led by a team with a track record of creation and
delivery of shareholder value and aspires to become a "one-stop
shop" for Big Pharma seeking mid-stage products to licence or
acquire.
The Company is targeting the growing infectious disease market.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease has become
one of the fastest growing pharma markets and is expected to exceed
$250bn by 2025.
With its initial assets from Open Orphan plc, an industry
leading infectious disease and human challenge trials business,
Poolbeg has access to knowledge, experience, and clinical data from
over 20 years of human challenge trials. The Company is using these
insights to acquire new assets as well as reposition clinical stage
products, reducing spend and risk. It already has a Phase II ready
repositioned small molecule immunomodulator for severe influenza
and a portfolio of other exciting assets. The Company plans to
broaden this portfolio further going forward and is in active
discussions with AI data analysis platforms to help accelerate the
power of its human challenge model data and biobank.
For more information, please go to www.poolbegpharma.com
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