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New preclinical results show that Eradivir’s EV25 offers faster and more thorough reduction of advanced-stage influenza viral loads compared to existing therapies.
Eradivir, a cutting-edge preclinical biotech company, has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against influenza with its patent-pending antiviral therapeutic, EV25. In preclinical studies, EV25, a bispecific small molecule, demonstrated a remarkable ability to reduce viral loads in the lungs of animals infected with advanced-stage influenza. The therapy works faster and more effectively than currently available treatments.
In these studies, a single intranasal dose of EV25 cleared detectable influenza virus from the lungs within 24 hours—outpacing the current standard of care. Additionally, the drug showed a broad window of efficacy, remaining effective up to 96 hours post-infection, far surpassing the 48-hour window of current antiviral drugs.
A research paper detailing the science behind EV25, titled “Targeted recruitment of immune effector cells for rapid eradication of influenza virus infections,” was recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The paper outlines how EV25’s unique mechanism of action, developed by a team led by Dr. Philip Low, Chief Scientific Officer of Eradivir, enhances immune responses to eradicate the influenza virus more efficiently.
The Science Behind EV25
EV25 was developed based on the pioneering research of Dr. Philip Low, a Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery and a professor at Purdue University. Dr. Low’s expertise in immunotherapy has been critical in shaping the drug’s design. EV25 works by binding and inhibiting the viral neuraminidase enzyme on both free virus particles and infected cells. It also recruits naturally occurring antibodies to enhance the body’s immune response to the infection.
Dr. Imrul Shahriar, a scientist at Eradivir, highlighted the dual action of EV25: “It lowers secretions of pro-inflammatory markers and offers better protection against influenza-induced lung damage compared to current treatments.” This combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy in a single drug marks a promising new approach for treating severe forms of influenza, which are notoriously difficult to manage with existing antiviral drugs.
Addressing the Ongoing Threat of Influenza
Despite its familiarity, influenza continues to pose a serious health threat worldwide. Current FDA-approved antiviral drugs are only effective when administered early in the infection process. They become much less effective as the disease progresses, underscoring the need for treatments that can combat influenza in later stages.
In the United States alone, influenza causes tens of millions of illnesses annually, resulting in hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths. Furthermore, with only 50% of the population vaccinated and vaccine effectiveness ranging from 19% to 60%, the burden of influenza remains high. Additionally, the virus’s ability to mutate and form new strains—such as the H5N1 avian flu, which poses a pandemic risk—complicates efforts to control its spread.
Next Steps for EV25
Following promising preclinical results, EV25 has been approved by European and Belgian regulatory agencies to begin Phase 1 human trials. These trials, expected to conclude early in 2025, will assess the safety of EV25 in humans, with a Phase 2a trial to follow. This next phase will further evaluate the drug’s safety profile and begin to define its effectiveness, with data expected in July 2025.
Recognition at OPTIONS XII
Eradivir’s progress with EV25 has garnered significant attention within the scientific community. At the OPTIONS XII conference in Brisbane, Australia, the company presented data on EV25 in a poster session titled “Ligand-Targeted Immunotherapy for the Rapid Clearance of Influenza Infections.” This presentation won the Best in Clinical Science and Vaccinology award. In addition, Eradivir’s RSV therapeutic, another compound based on the BAiT platform, was presented and showed similar promise in preclinical models for treating respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a disease for which no current therapies exist.
Jeffery Nielsen, Eradivir’s Vice President for Research and Development, expressed his excitement: “It was tremendous that both of our therapeutics were accepted at OPTIONS XII, the premier conference on influenza and respiratory viruses. EV25 is a game changer, and so is our RSV drug. The rapid viral clearance we are seeing in preclinical models for both diseases is unparalleled.”
A Promising Future for Influenza Treatment
As the world faces ever-evolving viral threats, Eradivir’s innovations offer hope for more effective treatments. With EV25’s potential to reduce viral loads faster and more thoroughly than existing therapies, the company is poised to change the landscape of influenza treatment, especially for more severe and advanced infections.
As the company moves forward with clinical trials, the future of EV25 looks promising, with the potential to address not just influenza but also other viral diseases that challenge current therapeutic options.
