Innovation Pharmaceuticals’ Brilacidin Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) by 97 Percent in a Human Lung Cell Line

Data From Ongoing Testing at U.S. Regional Biocontainment Laboratory

• Data adds to growing body of research in both human and animal cell lines supporting Brilacidin’s robust antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2
• Brilacidin is a unique 3-in-1 antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial COVID-19 drug candidate

WAKEFIELD, Mass., June 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innovation Pharmaceuticals (OTCQB:IPIX) (“the Company”), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, reports today 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—reducing viral load by 95 percent and by 97 percent, compared to control, at two therapeutic concentrations tested. Based on a CC50 value—the concentration of drug at which 50 percent of cells maintain viability—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.

“Brilacidin has now demonstrated potent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 in human lung and kidney cell lines, and in VERO cells, in laboratory testing conducted by independent academic researchers at two institutions, both of whom plan to submit their findings for peer-review publication,” said Leo Ehrlich, Chief Executive Officer at Innovation Pharmaceuticals. “The antiviral data we are compiling provides compelling proof of Brilacidin’s impressive ability to inhibit the novel coronavirus, toward initiating a clinical study of Brilacidin for COVID-19.”

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.