On Jun. 17, 2020, Innovation Pharma reported receiving data from ongoing laboratory testing being conducted at a U.S. Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL).

Brilacidin exhibited a statistically significant (p<0.0001) and potent inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, in a human lung epithelial cell lineﾗreducing viral load by 95 percent and by 97 percent, compared to control, at two therapeutic concentrations tested. Based on a CC50 valueﾗthe concentration of drug at which 50 percent of cells maintain viabilityﾗBrilacidin was also shown to be non-cytotoxic in the lung cell line.

The new lung cell line data reinforce previous testing conducted at the RBL, in VERO cells, where Brilacidin showed a similar robust inhibition, of 75 percent, against SARS-CoV-2 compared to control. Brilacidin has also been shown, in testing at the RBL, to be non-cytotoxic in VERO cells.

Additional details on the Brilacidin anti-SARS-CoV-2 testing being conducted at the RBL are planned to be submitted for publication upon completion.

Testing results observed to date formed the basis for a federal grant application that was submitted last week by the RBL, in collaboration with the Company, proposing to evaluate Brilacidin’s potential as a pan-coronavirus therapeutic, with possible extension into other viruses. The Company is in the process of manufacturing Brilacidin for intravenous (IV) dosing and will be seeking FDA guidance for a planned COVID-19 clinical study.