ETH-47

Ethris states that ETH47 can be a broadly protective antiviral candidate for respiratory diseases such as uncontrolled asthma. Credit: brizmaker via Shutterstock. German biotechnology company Ethris has announced initial positive Phase I data demonstrating the safety of its lead intranasal mRNA candidate ETH47. The data from the Phase I trial (ISRCTN15391202) shows that ETH47, when administered nasally, was safe and well tolerated, with no severe adverse events or drug-related adverse events of clinical relevance across all dose levels. A full data readout is expected in the third quarter of 2024. This follows an announcement from last week that Ethris secured $5m in funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support preparations for ETH47’s Phase IIa study including chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC) processes. In addition to this, on 18 June, Cipla announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Cipla (EU), will invest an additional €3m ($3.2m) in Ethris, following a €15m investment back in 2022. ETH47 is a type III interferon (IFN)-encoding mRNA. The drug induces an innate immune defence response in the mucosa at virus entry sites. It can also inhibit viral replication, with Ethris stating the drug can be a broadly protective antiviral candidate for respiratory diseases. The German biotech company is using its Stabilised NanoParticle (SNaP) LNP platform to locally administer the drug to the lungs through inhalation or nasal spray. See Also: Osteoporosis market expected to reach $17.9bn across 7MM by 2033 The FDA awarded a record number of review designations to mRNA vaccines in 2023 The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved Ethris’s Phase I trial plan back in November 2023 for healthy participants. These initial positive results will support Ethris in its continued development towards human viral challenge studies, including a rhinovirus challenge study in mild asthmatics. Ethris has also highlighted uncontrolled asthma as a target indication for the drug. This is a condition where asthma symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment, indicating that the current management is not effectively controlling the symptoms. Asthmatics are more prone to viral infections due to dysregulation in interferon type III. ETH47 may boost mucosal immunity and correct low interferon levels, potentially improving treatment for uncontrolled asthma, according to the company. Ethris’ chief medical officer Thomas Langenickel said: “We look forward to sharing comprehensive Phase I data later this year as we continue evaluating ETH47 for the treatment of uncontrolled asthma. Furthermore, successful nasal delivery opens up mRNA therapeutics as a new potential modality to treat diseases of the respiratory tract.” Ethris teamed up with Neurimmune back in 2020 to develop mRNA-based, neutralising antibodies for a Covid-19 therapeutic formulated for inhalation.

ETH47 resulted in a dose-dependent increase in target protein expression in the nasal cavity Nasal administration of ETH47 was generally safe and well-tolerated, with no severe adverse events or drug-related adverse events of clinical relevance Full data readout expected in the third quarter of 2024 Following the Phase 1 study, Ethris plans to advance ETH47 for patients with uncontrolled asthma MUNICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ethris GmbH, a leading biotechnology company pioneering next-generation RNA therapeutics and vaccines, announced today preliminary positive data from its Phase 1 dose escalation clinical trial evaluating the safety, tolerability, and target engagement of lead mRNA candidate ETH47 encoding interferon lambda (IFNλ), in healthy participants. IFNλ has a key role in viral immunity in the respiratory tract. The data indicates that ETH47, administered nasally, was generally safe and well-tolerated, with no severe adverse events or drug-related adverse events of clinical relevance across all dose levels. Initial results also show target engagement and suggest no systemic biodistribution of ETH47. A full data readout is planned for the third quarter of 2024. “These preliminary results are highly encouraging as they provide the first clinical validation of our innovative SNIM®RNA platform and SNaP LNP technology, which allows localized administration directly at virus entry sites and supports the potential of ETH47 as a broadly protective antiviral candidate for respiratory diseases,” said Dr. Thomas Langenickel, Chief Medical Officer of Ethris. “We look forward to sharing comprehensive Phase 1 data later this year as we continue evaluating ETH47 for the treatment of uncontrolled asthma. Furthermore, successful nasal delivery opens up mRNA therapeutics as a new potential modality to treat diseases of the respiratory tract.” Uncontrolled asthma is a significant burden for patients, including 4.4 million moderate to severe asthma patients in the US alone. Approximately 80% of acute asthma attacks (exacerbations) are associated with virus infections. Susceptibility to viral infections in asthma is associated with dysregulation of IFNλ in asthmatics. The promising safety and tolerability pro ETH47 observed in the clinical trial, along with its potential to enhance mucosal immune defense and correct low IFNλ levels, could represent a significant advancement in the treatment landscape for uncontrolled asthma. Professor Eric Bateman, MD, Key Opinion Leader and Member of the Board of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) said, “Given the strong association between viral infections, particular with rhinovirus, and asthma exacerbations, Ethris’ mRNA product candidate ETH47, with its unique mechanism of action has the potential to fill a significant gap in the asthma treatment paradigm.” The Phase 1 trial is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, single-ascending dose design to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ETH47 in healthy participants. ETH47, Ethris’ lead candidate developed using the company’s proprietary technologies was designed to address the unique challenges of delivering mRNA to the lungs, including physiological barriers, low transfection efficiency and delivery vehicle-induced inflammatory responses. This initial data assessment indicates proof of principle with ETH47 and supports its continued development toward human viral challenge studies, including a rhinovirus challenge study in mild asthmatics. About Ethris Ethris, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has paved a new path from genes to therapeutic proteins, using its proprietary RNA and lipidoid nanoparticle technology platform to discover, design and develop innovative therapies. With more than a decade as an mRNA pioneer, Ethris is a global leader in delivering stabilized mRNAs directly to the respiratory system via optimised formulation and nebulisation technologies. The company is rapidly advancing its mRNA pipeline of immuno-modulation, protein replacement therapies, and differentiated vaccines, with the ultimate goal of improving patients’ lives. For more information, visit . View source version on businesswire.com: Contacts For Ethris, please contact: Dr. Philipp Schreppel +49 89 244 153 042 schreppel@ethris.com Source: Ethris GmbH View this news release online at: