UNION therapeutics A/S enters option agreement to acquire worldwide exclusive license for COVID-19 technologies developed by TFF Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

HELLERUP, Denmark, Aug. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

• Niclosamide identified as a potent inhibitor of SARS-Cov-2 by Institut Pasteur Korea, with potency >40x higher than remdesivir
• UNION has advanced niclosamide-based program for COVID-19 (UNI911) to clinical development, currently in Phase 1 study
• TFF formulation technology can broaden the possible range of niclosamide formulations and treatments
• Collaboration between UNION and TFF holds potential to make niclosamide treatments available to a broader range of patients globally

UNION therapeutics A/S ("UNION") today announced the completion of an agreement with TFF Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("TFF") to acquire an option to obtain a worldwide exclusive license for the use of their Thin Film Freezing technology in combination with niclosamide to focus on treatments for COVID-19.

Niclosamide was recently identified by Institut Pasteur Korea as a potent inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19¹.

For a number of years, UNION has worked with niclosamide as a potential treatment for a range of inflammatory and infectious diseases. The Company is currently conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial of an optimized salt form of the compound developed as a potential inhalation treatment of COVID-19.

Based on research from the University of Texas and its patented formulation technology and expertise, TFF has developed alternative oral and inhalation versions of niclosamide, which are currently being prepared for human studies. Under the agreement, UNION will acquire an option to obtain a worldwide exclusive license to the technology and rights relating to the formulations of niclosamide for the treatment of COVID-19. UNION is already progressing the niclosamide-based product UNI911 through clinic development, and the agreement with TFF has the potential to substantially broaden UNION's niclosamide product offering.

"Like UNION, TFF has been working with niclosamide for an extended period of time and has taken an interesting approach to the formulation of niclosamide for COVID-19. We are excited to formalize our collaboration with the TFF team and consolidate our joint efforts under the wings of UNION. This will allow us to maximize the likelihood of getting the best possible product to as many COVID-19 patient segments in the shortest possible timeframe," said Rasmus Toft-Kehler, CEO and co-founder of UNION.