MORRISTOWN, N.J., Dec. 12, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BioAegis Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage company developing technology to address injurious inflammation while protecting immune function and vital organs in diseases driven by inflammation and infection, announces publication of new research findings with recombinant human plasma gelsolin in influenza. The research demonstrates that recombinant human plasma gelsolin therapy dramatically improves survival in a highly lethal influenza animal model.
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Findings Indicate That Plasma Gelsolin Supplementation Can Improve Influenza Outcomes
Seasonal influenza continues to be a cause of substantial morbidity and mortality. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) documented that seasonal influenza was responsible for close to 57,000 deaths during the 2018-2019 season. There is also concern that new strains could cause high death rates similar to past pandemics.
Studies conducted in collaboration with investigators at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health demonstrated clinical improvement in mice infected with lethal doses of influenza when administering gelsolin after a clinically relevant delay. The current FDA-approved antivirals target the flu virus, but do not address the severe later stage morbidity and mortality that that are the focus of plasma gelsolin (rhu-pGSN) therapy. Currently, resistance is also developing against the antivirals, which is why host-directed therapies are increasingly being sought for development.
Susan Levinson, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of BioAegis Therapeutics stated, “We’ve previously studied plasma gelsolin against multiple types of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant bacteria and this new data has demonstrated efficacy in influenza, a key viral pandemic threat. Each time we extend our studies with plasma gelsolin, we become even more persuaded of its potential to address serious medical needs where current therapy fails.”