SYDNEY, Australia, May 11, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ENA Respiratorya clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing INNA-051, a leading broad-spectrum antiviral innate immunomodulator for pan-antiviral prophylaxis in at-risk populations and pandemic preparedness, has been selected to join BLUE KNIGHT™, a joint initiative between Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS (JLABS) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a component of the US Department of Health and Human Services. ENA Respiratory is the first Australian company to be selected to join blue knight.

blue knight offers a science and technology ecosystem for innovative early-stage companies to develop strategically aligned technologies aimed at tackling health threats and emerging infectious diseases. ENA Respiratory’s selection highlights the urgent unmet need for therapies that could help the body respond more quickly to a wide range of viral respiratory infections and reduce the risk of hospitalization or complications. Like a blue knight company, ENA Respiratory will benefit from the mentorship of experts from BARDA, the Johnson & Johnson family of companies and a global network of innovators who could provide critical information and support throughout the development of INNA-051 .

ENA Respiratory’s INNA-051 Self-Administered Nasal Spray is designed to stimulate innate immunity in the nose, which is the preferred site of initial infection and replication of most respiratory viruses. Preclinical research demonstrates that INNA-051 has pan-antiviral potential with efficacy against a variety of respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and the common cold rhinovirus.

“As we continue to advance the development of INNA-051, we look forward to working alongside BARDA, industry leaders, and other innovative companies to address emerging health threats. and to better protect our global community against infectious diseases,” said Christophe Demaison. , Ph.D., CEO of ENA Respiratory.

ENA Respiratory is a virtual resident within JLABSa leading incubator program in the field of life sciences.

Recently, ENA Respiratory began a Phase 2a study of INNA-051 influenza challenge pre-exposure prophylaxis. It was shown to be well tolerated in a phase 1 study, and phase 1 data will be presented at the 2022 American Thoracic Society International Conference (May 13-18, San Francisco).

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About ENA Respiratory and INNA-051

ENA Respiratory aims to transform the prevention of viral respiratory infections in populations at risk of complications. The company is based in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, and has secured Series A funding from managed funds from Brandon Capital Partners, Minderoo Foundation and Uniseed.

INNA-051 is a potent TLR2/6 innate immune agonist. It is being developed for intranasal administration to target the preferential site of initial infection and replication of most respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. Fast-acting and inducing a long-lasting biological response supporting weekly administration, INNA-051 works by recruiting innate immune cells and priming epithelial cells in the nasal mucosa to respond more quickly to infections, quickly clearing viruses and other pathogens before that they don’t spread throughout the body. INNA-051 and its close analogues have been shown to be effective in preclinical studies against several respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza (seasonal H1N1 and H3N2), and rhinovirus.

Key features of intranasal administration of INNA-051 include minimal or no systemic bioavailability, minimal or no systemic pro-inflammatory cytokine release, lack of direct upregulation of type I interferon which is known to be associated with fever in humans, a durable immune response supporting weekly dosing, and compatibility with vaccine and intranasal corticosteroids.

For more information, please visit https://enarespiratory.com