IQ Therapeutics achieves 100% survival in rabbit model at 48 hours after inhalation anthrax infection

IQ Therapeutics B.V., Groningen, the Netherlands, announced this week that in collaboration with the University of Texas Medical Branch it has obtained outstanding results for the treatment of inhalation anthrax. In a rabbit model up to 100% survival could be achieved with extended time to treatment (48h post infection) with a combination of two specific monoclonal antibodies developed by IQ Therapeutics. This has significant potential for saving lives of infected people who have no immediate access to treatment.

IQ Therapeutics' Chief Scientific Officer Herman Groen states: "The results obtained in the recent studies are unprecedented. We have demonstrated in a rabbit model that we can achieve up to 100% survival after treatment with a single dose of two antibodies (anti-PA and anti-LF), at 48 hours after the infection. Our advanced stage treatment is unique and has a tremendous advantage in real life settings where an infected person might not immediately be aware of the infection or does not have immediate access to proper treatment. Especially in those cases, IQ Therapeutics' dual antibody approach can in the future help saving lives, as there is currently no cure available for that stage of disease."

High survival rates with the Dual Antibody Approach (a combination of fully human anti-PA and anti-LF antibodies) have been demonstrated before. However, with the help of Dr. Peterson and his group at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), several efficacious dose combinations could be established that showed 100% survival.

With the efficacy milestone completed, IQ's development of the Dual Antibody Approach will now focus on additional confirmation, human safety and advanced development studies.

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Inhalational anthrax is often fatal if not treated immediately with the proper medication, before symptoms have appeared. IQ Therapeutics is focusing on treatment of patients who have become symptomatic and could otherwise not be saved with antibiotics. IQ developed the "Dual Antibody Approach", using a combination of two monoclonal antibodies targeting the toxin produced by the Bacillus anthracis. The efficacy of DAA is being examined in preclinical challenge studies performed by the group of Dr. Peterson (UTMB), through a screening contract from the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, part of National Institutes of Health.