NexBio presents Fludase data for Influenza-Like Illness at ACAAI 2010

NexBio, Inc. announced the presentation of new data at the 2010 annual American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology in Phoenix, Arizona.  The presentation was entitled "DAS181 (Fludase®), a Sialidase, Decreases Airway Resistance by Modulating Muscarinic Receptor Signaling."

DAS181 (Fludase®) is an investigational broad spectrum host-targeting antiviral drug candidate undergoing clinical development for the treatment and prevention of Influenza-Like Illness caused by all strains of influenza and parainfluenza (PIV).  These new data show that, independent of its antiviral activity, and by a different mechanism of action, DAS181 may have benefit for airway diseases such as asthma and COPD.

NexBio presented nonclinical data at ACAAI 2009 from studies in three animal models of asthma, demonstrating that DAS181 inhibits airway hyperreactivity characteristic of asthma, as well as airway inflammatory cells and airway mucus, characteristic of chronic airway inflammatory conditions such as COPD.  The current presentation at 2010 ACAAI builds on this prior work by elucidating a key mechanism of action.  The data demonstrate that desialylation of airway muscarinic receptors in both in vivo and in vitro models unexpectedly reduces muscarinic pathway signaling. DAS181 given to mice once daily for three days, at doses lower than those used for antiviral treatment, leads to significantly reduced airway resistance in response to challenge by methacholine.

"The data suggest that DAS181 may have a dual benefit for patients with airway disease who become infected with the respiratory viruses influenza and parainfluenza, as DAS181 may fight infection while simultaneously controlling the underlying airway disease.  These patients are at high risk for exacerbations of their airway disease, as was seen during the 2009 Pandemic, and it is possible that DAS181 may limit or prevent complications," said Dr. Ron Moss, NexBio's Executive Vice President of Clinical Development and Medical Affairs, and presenter of the data.  "These new data also suggest that DAS181 might be useful as a novel, once-daily anti-muscarinic agent for the management of patients with diseases such as asthma and COPD, and an ongoing clinical trial is assessing this possibility," added Dr. Moss.  

DAS181 is an investigational drug currently in an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of subjects infected with influenza. NexBio has previously announced the publication of several articles in peer-reviewed journals describing non-clinical activity of DAS181 for Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1), neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI)-resistant influenza, avian H5N1, and, PIV strains, in ex vivo, in vivo and in vitro models. As well, a Phase 1/2 study of the safety and activity of DAS181 for (uninfected) patients with asthma and bronchiectasis is ongoing at the Clinical Center at the National Institutes of Health.