- Combining ARDS-003 with antiviral drugs significantly
decreased viral replication compared to antiviral treatment
alone.
OTTAWA, ON, June 21, 2021 /CNW/ - Tetra Bio-Pharma
Inc. ("Tetra" or the "Company") (TSX: TBP) (OTCQB:
TBPMF) (FRA: JAM1), a leader in cannabinoid-derived drug discovery
and development announced today that its investigational new drug
ARDS-003 has been studied in a viral infected organoid model as
part of a research collaboration between Targeted Pharmaceuticals
("Targeted") and George Mason
University. ARDS-003 is a new patent protected therapeutic
developed to treat hyperinflammatory conditions, such as those seen
in patients suffering from COVID-19 viral infections and
sepsis.
On March 26, 2021, Tetra announced
it had entered into an agreement with Targeted Pharmaceuticals to
initiate additional studies on its leading drug candidate ARDS-003.
As a result, a preliminary study on HIV using the HU-308 molecule,
the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient used in our Covid-19
therapeutic ARDS-003, determined that viral replication is
significantly decreased when HU-308 is used in combination with a
standard antiviral drug to treat HIV. In other words, it clears the
virus significantly better than the standard antiviral drug alone.
These results suggest that in addition to immunomodulator
properties, ARDS-003 demonstrates strong antiviral effects in
humans.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a role in the immune response
against viral pathogens and post-infection complications, such as
neurodegeneration. They incorporate and spread both viral and
host factors, thereby inducing or inhibiting immune responses
towards the viruses via multiple mechanisms. Studies have
shown that EVs are implicated in SARS-CoV-2 infected disease.
EVs have been involved in the transfer of viral receptors to other
cells making these cells more susceptible for SARS-CoV-2
infection. Further, according to the Sepsis Alliance (Viral
Infections | Sepsis Alliance), viral infections are a frequent
cause of sepsis.
"Understanding the affect of ARDS-003 on EVs in viral infections
is important for guiding the long-term clinical development of
Tetra's proprietary asset, particularly since this drug clearly has
both anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. The
neuro-organoid spheres used in this study are like mini
brains! They get infected with the virus thereby allowing us
to study our drug without infecting live animals. This has
transformed how we conduct research" stated Dr. Guy Chamberland, Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Regulatory Officer of Tetra Bio-Pharma.
On June 16, 2021, Targeted stated
in its news release "These studies are significant in that
cannabinoids may provide a protective effect by alleviating the
pathogenic effects of EVs in HIV-1 and CNS-related infections,"
commented Dr. Fatah Kashanchi, Professor and Director at the
George Mason University's Laboratory of
Molecular Virology Lab. "Our data suggests that certain
cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC can act as viral transcription
inhibitors, potentially through two independent mechanisms and
provide significant reduction in EVs released from infected cells",
stated Dr. Kashanchi. Tetra confirms that this research also
included its proprietary investigational drug ARDS-003.
Dr. Guy Chamberland also stated,
"Our partnership with Targeted is allowing us to learn more about
the therapeutic potential of our proprietary drug ARDS-003.
Sepsis is a major cause of death worldwide and viral infections
contribute to this. These types of studies are a first of a
kind using neuro-organoid spheres. We believe this
partnership will lead to new market opportunities for both
corporations as we leverage our cannabinoid inhalation intellectual
property as well as that of the ARDS-003 drug."
About Tetra Bio-Pharma
Tetra Bio-Pharma (TSX:
TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF) (FRA:JAM1) is a leader in cannabinoid-derived
drug discovery and development with a FDA and a Health Canada
cleared clinical program aimed at bringing novel prescription drugs
and treatments to patients and their healthcare providers. Our
evidence-based scientific approach has enabled us to develop a
pipeline of cannabinoid-based drug products for a range of medical
conditions, including pain, inflammation, and oncology. With
patients at the core of what we do, Tetra Bio-Pharma is focused on
providing rigorous scientific validation and safety data required
for inclusion into the existing biopharma industry by regulators,
physicians and insurance companies.
For more information visit: www.tetrabiopharma.com
About Targeted Pharmaceuticals LLC
Targeted
Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused
on treatments for oncology and central nervous system
disorders.
Learn more at https://www.targetedpharma.com
About George Mason
University
George Mason
University is Virginia's
largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls more than
37,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. The National
Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases (NCBID) at Mason
focuses on host-pathogen interactions using proteomics and
nanotechnology as they are applied to diagnostic, therapeutic, and
vaccine development. NCBID manages The Biomedical Research Lab
(BRL), one of thirteen Regional Biocontainment Laboratories in the
U.S. constructed with funding support from the National Institute
of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/National Institutes of Health
(NIAID/NIH), performing pioneering research of infectious diseases,
both emerging and potential bio threat agents.
Learn more at www.ncbid.gmu.edu
About the College of Science
The College of Science at Mason is a leader in scientific discovery
creating innovative solutions for the rapidly changing needs of
today's world. Mason's College of Science blends traditional
science education with sought-after programs in disciplines as
diverse as personalized medicine, infectious diseases,
geoinformatics, climate dynamics, materials science, astronomy,
forensic science, and applied mathematics. The College encourages
meaningful education and research at all levels offering innovative
undergraduate programs, minors, certificates, and graduate degree
opportunities, as well as global, transfer-focused, and online, or
hybrid, programs that allow professionals the opportunity to
reskill or change careers.
Learn more at www.science.gmu.edu
Neither the TSX Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider
(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Exchange)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
Forward-looking statements
Some statements in this
release may contain forward-looking information. All statements,
other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or
developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will
or may occur in the future (including, without limitation,
statements regarding potential acquisitions and financings) are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
generally identifiable by use of the words "may", "will", "should",
"continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe",
"intend", "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or
other variations on these words or comparable terminology.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to
control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the
Company to differ materially from those discussed in the
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results
or events to differ materially from current expectations include,
among other things, without limitation, the inability of the
Company to obtain sufficient financing to execute the Company's
business plan; competition; regulation and anticipated and
unanticipated costs and delays, the success of the Company's
research and development strategies, including the success of this
product or any other product, the applicability of the
discoveries made therein, the successful and timely completion and
uncertainties related to the regulatory process, the timing of
clinical trials, the timing and outcomes of regulatory or
intellectual property decisions and other risks disclosed in the
Company's public disclosure record on file with the relevant
securities regulatory authorities. Although the Company has
attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual
results or events to differ materially from those described in
forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause
results or events not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.
Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news
release are made as of the date of this news release and the
Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such
forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent
events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities
legislation.
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SOURCE Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc.