Traws Pharma presents data on tivoxavir marboxil for bird flu treatment

Traws Pharma (TRAW) announced that data supporting the potential for tivoxavir marboxil as a bird flu treatment was presented yesterday in a poster at the International Society for Antiviral Research, being held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Poster Title: Tivoxavir marboxil, an Influenza Inhibitor Targeting Cap-dependent Endonuclease: Results from a Phase I Trial Demonstrating Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics and Demonstrating Protection Against H5N1 Bird Flu in a Rodent Challenge Model. Data in the poster support potential use of single dose treatment of TXM in bird flu: Laboratory studies showed that TXM potently suppressed influenza A, B and C viruses and baloxavir resistant flu viruses, with sub-nanomolar potency against H5N1/influenza A virus. Results from a rodent challenge model showed that 100% of mice treated with TXM survived, with no virus-induced weight loss and significant reductions in lung viremia, whereas all untreated animals succumbed by study day 6. These data are consistent with previously reported ferret data. Phase 1 data show potential for single treatment to maintain target drug levels: Results in healthy volunteers showed that a single dose of TXM maintained plasma blood levels at EC90 for ~3 weeks, with good overall tolerability. The study incorporated a wide dose range in anticipation that bird flu would be more virulent and hard to treat.