NexBio, Inc. announced today the initiation of a double blind placebo controlled multi-center trial in the U.S. and Mexico of DAS181 (Fludase®) for the treatment of laboratory confirmed influenza infection. DAS181 is an investigational host-targeted drug candidate that blocks entry of influenza virus into cells of the respiratory tract. The trial will assess the effect of DAS181 on influenza viral load as measured by the amount of viral shedding in the upper respiratory tract. In addition, the trial will assess the drug's safety and tolerability and will follow duration of clinical symptoms and global functionality. The study is being conducted at over 50 sites in the U.S. and Mexico. The trial is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, and is being monitored by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board. More information about the study can be found at: http://www.das181flustudy.com/
Dr. Roy Steigbigel, Professor of Medicine, SUNY at Stony Brook and principal investigator of the trial commented: "This is a well designed trial which will test the antiviral effects of DAS181 during the current influenza pandemic. I am excited about leading this trial to test a unique broad-spectrum flu medicine at a time when new therapeutic approaches are critically needed."