Broad Spectrum Antiviral Immunomodulator Found Protective

ENA Respiratory today announced that INNA-051, a first-in-class, broad-spectrum, innate immunomodulator in development for the prevention of respiratory viral infections, was found to significantly impact the course of viral infection in a Phase 2a flu challenge study.

The study's post hoc analyses, excluding those with pre-existing immunity, showed that INNA-051-treated participants with PCR laboratory-confirmed infection had a statistically significant shorter duration of infection.

"This study further supports the concept that boosting the local innate immune response to common respiratory viruses has potential clinical benefit. In this study, INNA-051 was found to be safe and to significantly impact the course of infection. We are eager to investigate INNA-051's clinical benefit in the context of natural viral respiratory tract infections in individuals at increased risk of more severe illness," said Christophe Demaison, Ph.D., Managing Director and CEO of ENA Respiratory, in a press release on February 14, 2023.

These Phase 2a study results mirror those seen in animal respiratory infection models and are consistent with the INNA-051 mechanism of action. INNA-051 accelerates virus clearance and reduces virus spread to other body parts.

It is anticipated that INNA-051 prophylaxis will reduce illness severity and healthcare utilization in individuals exposed to respiratory viral infections, especially those at high risk of complications. 

Earlier research in humans and animals has shown that INNA-051 activates the innate immune system in the nose, a common site of infection.