The COPD Foundation has stepped up to support the development of Ena Respiratory’s antiviral nasal spray for use in people with chronic lung diseases. Ena is preparing to run phase 2 studies to test the ability of the nasal spray to prevent COVID-19 and influenza.
Australia-based Ena raised around $24 million last summer, setting it up to run a phase 1 trial of TLR2/6 agonist INNA-051. By delivering the molecule to the nose, Ena aims to help people fight off viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza by upregulating innate immune responses in their airway epithelial cells. That mechanism of action put INNA-051 on the radar of the not-for-profit COPD Foundation.
“Our patient community surveys highlight an urgent need for treatments that prevent flare-ups triggered by viral infections, now more than ever. This fast-acting nasal spray could be used before or shortly after virus exposure to help the body respond faster and reduce the chances of complications,” Ruth Tal-Singer, Ph.D., chief scientific officer at the COPD Foundation, said in a statement.
The COPD Foundation will work with Ena to develop INNA-051 for use in people with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ena landed the partnership after taking the nasal spray through a phase 1 trial, more data from which are due later this year, and setting its sights on mid-phase studies.
RELATED: Ena starts phase 1 trial of COVID-19-preventing nasal spray
Ena plans to test INNA-051 in a randomized COVID-19 post-exposure antiviral prophylaxis study and an influenza challenge pre-exposure prophylaxis study. As INNA-051 is designed to work by stimulating the immune response, rather than targeting the virus directly, it could reduce the incidence and severity of infections with a range of respiratory pathogens.
In the context of COPD, a reduction in the incidence and severity of infections could tackle a driver of the deterioration of symptoms, leading the foundation to lend its network of accredited centers, expertise and patient investigators to the development of INNA-051.