Brilacidin coronavirus vaccine - Innovation Pharmaceuticals
Alternative Names: COVID-19 vaccine - Innovation PharmaceuticalsLatest Information Update: 26 May 2020
At a glance
- Originator Innovation Pharmaceuticals
- Developer Innovation Pharmaceuticals; University of Pennsylvania
- Class COVID-19 vaccines
- Mechanism of Action Immunostimulants; Type 4 cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors
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Orphan Drug Status
No
Orphan designation is assigned by a regulatory body to encourage companies to develop drugs for rare diseases.
- New Molecular Entity No
Highest Development Phases
- Discontinued COVID 2019 infections
Most Recent Events
Development Overview
Introduction
Brilacidin is a first-in class defensin biomimetic, that was being developed as a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine by Innovation Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of COVID-2019 infections. Vaccines containing defensins as adjuvants activate the primary innate antiviral immune response as well as mediate other immunomodulatory activities against a number of viruses, including the coronaviruses. Brilacidin acts by bolstering the body's natural immune response and inhibiting type-4-cyclic-nucleotide-phosphodiesterase-inhibitors (PDE4/PDE3) thereby disrupting viral replication and enhancing the protective role of natural surfactants in the lung and helping resolve respiratory problems common to the coronavirusis. The company intends to develop administer the candidate as a monotherapy or as an adjuvant therapy with other antivirals. The underlying theory is that once the viral load is reduced, the body’s natural immune response possibly strengthened by brilacidin administered post-infection as an adjuvant therapy should be better able to fight off coronavirus complications. Clinical development is underway in the US however, the development is discontinued.
As of May 2020, Innovation Pharmaceuticals announced that brilacidin as a vaccine would not be studied further . While the vaccine pathway remains of interest, the Company is prioritising brilacidin’s clinical development as a potential small molecule drug for COVID-2019 infections [See Adis Insight Drug Profile800028651].
Key Development Milestones
As of May 2020, Innovation Pharmaceuticals announced that brilacidin as a vaccine would not be studied further and the development was discontinued. While the vaccine pathway remains of interest, the Company is prioritising brilacidin’s clinical development as a potential small molecule drug for COVID-2019 infections [See Adis Insight Drug Profile800028651] [1] .
As of March 2020, in research studies conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, brilacidin vaccine demonstrated potent activity against various clinical isolates of gram postive and negative pathogens as well as enveloped viruses like coronavirus. The drug inhibited PDE4/PDE3 in preclinical tests. It also inhibited higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines commonly exhibited by patients affected with COVID-2019 infections [2] [3] .
In March 2020, Innovation Pharmaceuticals submitted preliminary summary of brilacidin's potential as a novel coronavirus treatment to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), which is dedicated to rapidly identifying and funding medical countermeasures to the COVID-19 outbreak [4] [5] .
Drug Properties & Chemical Synopsis
- Route of administration IV
- Formulation unspecified
- Class COVID-19 vaccines
- Target Type 4 cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase
- Mechanism of Action Immunostimulants; Type 4 cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors
-
WHO ATC code
J07B-X (Other viral vaccines)
-
EPhMRA code
J7E9 (All other viral vaccines)
Development Status
Summary Table
| Indication | Qualifier | Patient Segment | Phase | Countries | Route / Formulation | Developers | Event Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COVID 2019 infections | - | Prevention | Discontinued (Preclinical) | USA | IV / unspecified | Innovation Pharmaceuticals, University of Pennsylvania | 19 May 2020 |
Commercial Information
Involved Organisations
| Organisation | Involvement | Countries |
|---|---|---|
| Innovation Pharmaceuticals | Originator | USA |
| Innovation Pharmaceuticals | Owner | USA |
| University of Pennsylvania | Collaborator | USA |
Development History
| Event Date | Update Type | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 19 May 2020 | Phase Change - Discontinued(Preclinical) | Discontinued - Preclinical for COVID-2019 infections (Prevention) in USA (IV) [1] Updated 26 May 2020 |
| 06 Apr 2020 | Trial Update | Innovation Pharmaceuticals plans a clinical trial for COVID-2019 infections in the US and Europe Updated 14 Apr 2020 |
| 17 Mar 2020 | Phase Change - Preclinical | Preclinical trials in COVID-2019 infections (Prevention) in USA (IV) [2] Updated 02 Apr 2020 |
| 24 Feb 2020 | Regulatory Status | Innovation Pharmaceuticals submits preliminary summary of brilacidin's potential for COVID-2019-infections to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) [5] Updated 02 Apr 2020 |
References
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Innovation Pharmaceuticals Brilacidin Reduces Viral Titer of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) by 75 percent After Only 1 Hour of Preincubation in In Vitro Study at BSL-3 Facility; Demonstrates Potent and Rapid Virucidal Activity.
Media Release -
Innovation Pharmaceuticals Brilacidin to be Researched as Possible Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Vaccine; Brilacidin Now Being Tested as Drug and Vaccine at Different Institutions.
Media Release -
Innovation pharmaceuticals. Internet-Doc 2020;.
Available from: URL: http://www.ipharminc.com/new-blog/2020/2/28/shareholder-alert-scientific-rationale-for-brilacidin-as-a-potential-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-treatment -
Innovation Pharmaceuticals Provides Scientific Rationale and Clinical Development Perspectives for Brilacidin as a Potential Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Treatment.
Media Release -
Innovation Pharmaceuticals Submits Material Transfer Agreement to Study Lead Defensin Mimetic Brilacidin for Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Media Release
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