- NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals (NSB) opens green on the ASX after lab tests show EmtinB could effectively treat COVID-19
- The drug developer says EmtinB tests showed the drug reduces important biomarkers associated with COVID-19 in human cell-based systems
- These biomarkers include inflammation, Serum Amyloid A (SAA), Interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and Eotaxin-3 (Eot3)
- Managing Director Matt Liddelow says the tests demonstrate that EmtinB is a true “platform technology” drug
- Shares in NSB are up 10.3 per cent and trading at 32 cents each
NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals (NSB) has opened green on the ASX after lab tests showed its EmtinB drug could be effective at treating COVID-19.
The drug developer told investors this morning EmtinB “significantly” reduced some important biomarkers associated with severe COVID-19 infection in a panel of human primary cell-based systems.
Specifically, the EmtinB tests showed the drug could reduce inflammation, Serum Amyloid A (SAA), Interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and Eotaxin-3 (Eot3) by over 50 per cent against controls. These are all key drivers of severe disease for COVID-19.
What’s more, EmtinB was shown to be safe and well-tolerated across all dose concentrations, according to NSB.
NeuroScientific Managing Director, Matt Liddelow, said the results show that EmtinB could be used to treat inflammatory conditions outside of the central nervous system, which has — up until now — been the main focus of the drug.
“For the first time, our team have demonstrated an EmtinB-mediated effect on adaptive immune responses as evidenced by regulation of these inflammatory biomarkers,” Mr Liddelow said.
He said the results from the EmtinB test demonstrate that the drug is a true “platform technology”.
“Inflammation is now a well-recognised driver of disease progression in many diseases and big pharma companies have a keen interest in this space.
“These data will demonstrate the wide range of potential clinical applications of EmtinB and therefore enhance the commercial interest in this compound.”
From the head to the chest
NeuroScientific initially developed EmtinB to treat neurodegenerative diseases and issues with the optic nerve.
The company is set to begin clinical trials for Alzheimer’s Disease and glaucoma before the end of the year. Glaucoma is a condition wherein the nerve connecting the eye to the brain is damaged, often causing blindness.
Given the anti-inflammatory properties of EmtinB and a need for effective COVID-19 treatments around the world, NSB started testing EmtinB in other parts of the body, with today’s lab results affirming some of these tests.
One of the most important coronavirus biomarkers reduced by EmtinB is inflammation, which can often escalate to a ‘cytokine storm’ in COVID-19 patients. In a cytokine storm, the body produces uncontrolled levels of a protein called a cytokine, and this can lead to a decrease in lung function.
SAA is typically associated with cardiovascular events but has been linked to more severe COVID-19 disease and a higher chance of dying.
IP-10 can lead to lung injury and, untreated, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Eot3 can directly attribute to a worsening of disease symptoms in COVID-19 patients.
With early tests for EmtinB showing effectiveness in treating each of these biomarkers, investors have responded well to NeuroScientific’s news today.
Shares in NSB were up 10.3 per cent and trading at 32 cents each at 11:24 am AEST. The company has a $41.6 million market cap.