By Aphios Corp.
APP-0205, APP-309 and other anti-influenza leads isolated from screening over 1,000 marine microorganism fractions in cytoprotection and cytotoxicity assays. Aphios’ scientists and engineers are screening a unique library of diverse marine microorganisms – isolated from normal to extremophilic environments in United States territorial waters – and medicinal plants to discover novel anti-influenza drugs. Research is being done under Biohazard Safety Level-3 (BSL-3) conditions. The Company utilizes its patented SuperFluids™ CXF fractionation technology for the rapid discovery and development of anti-influenza drugs. To date, utilizing proprietary enabling drug discovery technologies, we have screened about 1,000 marine molecule fractions (approximately 2% of our marine microorganism library) against influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B in biological assays. Hits were selected on the basis of a Selectivity Index (SI) that reflects therapeutic efficacy. We have identified 2 very active hits (SI >100) against influenza B, 13 active hits (SI >10) against influenza A and 21 moderately active hits (SI > 1) against influenza A. From screening medicinal plants utilizing proprietary drug discovery technologies, we have identified an anti-influenza hit that has a selective index against influenza A that is higher than the positive control utilized in the biological assays. Our overall goal is to establish a business unit Amyxa® Therapeutics with a mission to identify compounds from marine microorganisms and medicinal plants that are active against different strains of influenza A, including H5N1 viruses and influenza B, as well as those that act on viral proteins other than ones targeted by current anti-influenza drugs. We have ongoing research agreements with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH and United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, DOD for testing compounds against different strains of influenza. Aphios Corporation is seeking strategic corporate partners and investors to accelerate the discovery and development of novel anti-influenza drugs that are effective against H5N1 and other virulent strains of bird flu as well as circulating strains of influenza.
