VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 18, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Qu Biologics Inc., a private clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing Site Specific Immunomodulators (SSIs), a novel platform of immunotherapies designed to restore innate immune function, is pleased to announce it is receiving advisory services and research and development funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to quickly move forward the potential application of Qu’s lung-directed SSI, QBKPN, to prevent and treat infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. Unlike traditional vaccines that direct the host adaptive immune response to a very specific antigen, Qu’s immunotherapy platform engages and trains the innate arm of the immune system that is responsible for providing the body’s first line of defense. Optimal innate immune defenses can efficiently contain and clear infection before it spreads and plays an essential role in also directing the adaptive immune response against new infections. By training the innate immune system to protect the lungs, QBKPN is designed to protect the lungs not only against COVID-19, but also against a wide range of other bacterial and viral respiratory infections, like influenza. Importantly, since QBKPN activates innate immunity, the immune protection it provides would not lose efficacy if SARS-CoV-2 mutates, which is a risk with traditional vaccines that rely on antigen specificity.
Previously, Qu and collaborating scientists from Dartmouth College and McMaster University demonstrated that QBKPN significantly reduces lung pathogen burden in a range of respiratory infections, both viral and bacterial in nature. Of note, QBKPN treatment was shown to prevent mortality from respiratory infections in aged animals, which typically have reduced innate immune competency. The new support from NRC IRAP is designed to assess QBKPN’s efficacy in reducing the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in animal models. This work will be conducted in collaboration with the NRC’s Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre.
Dr. Hal Gunn, CEO of Qu Biologics, stated, “QBKPN has already been tested clinically in a Phase 1/2 clinical study and has had a very good safety profile to date. If the planned studies confirm the application of QBKPN to protect against serious COVID-19 and viral respiratory infections, this support from NRC IRAP will significantly help expedite the clinical development and deployment of QBKPN for this significant unmet need for broad innate immune protection of the lungs – particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with co-morbid conditions who lack innate immune resiliency.” Immunologist Dr. Shirin Kalyan, Qu’s Vice President of Scientific Innovation, said, “We have shown that QBKPN treatment can improve immune dysfunction that is present in the context of aging, asthma, COPD, and lung cancer. These same conditions increase the risk of serious COVID-19 infection. We anticipate QBKPN will help address the underlying vulnerability in innate immune competency in people who are at high risk of serious COVID-19 infection; thus reducing their risk of serious respiratory infections beyond COVID-19.”
About Qu Biologics
Qu Biologics is a clinical stage biotechnology company developing Site Specific Immunomodulators (SSI), a novel class of immunotherapies designed to stimulate an innate immune response in targeted organs to reverse the chronic inflammation underlying many important diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, inflammatory lung disease and arthritis. Qu has completed three Phase 2 studies in Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and lung cancer and has two Phase 2 studies underway in Crohn’s disease and colon cancer.
Backed by a prestigious group of scientific advisors and board members, Qu Biologics is led by a management team that includes co-founder and CEO Dr. Hal Gunn, a physician and expert on the body’s immune response to chronic disease; and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, former CEO of the BC Cancer Agency and a distinguished clinician, scientist and leader in cancer control in Canada and internationally. For more information, please visit qubiologics.com.
For more information regarding this press release, contact:
Hal Gunn, MD
CEO
Qu Biologics Inc.
Phone: 604.734.1450
Email: media@qubiologics.com
Qu Biologics Inc. cautions you that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based upon current expectations and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of release of the relevant information, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, Qu Biologics’ forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Qu Biologics’ business including, without limitation, statements about: the progress and timing of its clinical trials; difficulties or delays in development, testing, obtaining regulatory approval, producing and marketing its products; unexpected adverse side effects or inadequate therapeutic efficacy of its products that could delay or prevent product development or commercialization; the scope and validity of patent protection for its products; competition from other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies; and its ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. Qu Biologics does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law.