TFF Pharmaceuticals announced that it will study the feasibility of formulating Emory University’s mRNA-based Cas13a antiviral for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A and B as a dry powder using the company’s thin film freezing technology. Funding for the study is provided by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) as part of its Flexible and Strategic Therapeutics (FASTx) program.
TFF Pharmaceuticals CEO Harlan Weisman commented, “Viruses pose a significant public health challenge through their ability to evolve rapidly, which renders traditional antiviral therapies ineffective and risks widespread outbreaks in case of emerging strains. Our partnership with Emory University and BARDA is an important opportunity to deploy our TFF technology to combat rapidly changing respiratory viruses, including influenza and COVID. Inhalational delivery of antiviral therapy against respiratory viruses is poised to drive efficacy by providing the drug where the virus replicates while improved stability and room temperature storage enhance practicality for widespread distribution.”
Emory University / Georgia Tech Professor Philip J. Santangelo said, “TFFs novel dry powder formulation provides an important new approach to address the unmet need for precise delivery of novel therapeutics against potentially deadly respiratory viral infections. With ever-changing influenza and COVID strains emerging, flexibility of delivery without the need for cold chain storage and distribution is all the more important. We look forward to working closely with the TFF team to develop new approaches to treat these conditions faster and more efficiently.”
Read the TFF Pharmaceuticals press release.
