Altasciences Chosen by Virpax to Support the Development of a New Drug to Prevent Spread of Flu-like Viruses
21.9.2023 17:00:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
Altasciences is pleased to have been chosen by Virpax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRPX) (“Virpax”), a company specializing in developing non-addictive products for pain management, PTSD, central nervous system (CNS) disorders, and viral barrier indications, to conduct preclinical studies in support of their development of quaternary ammonium palmitoyl glycol chitosan (GCPQ, under the trade name of AnQlar™). AnQlar is a nanoparticle intended to help prevent the spread of negatively charged viruses such as COVID-19 and influenza via intranasal spray, and has shown to inhibit the ability of the virus to replicate at non-toxic concentrations.
In development since 2022, the project has so far seen the completion of safety assessment utilizing intranasal administration at Altasciences’ preclinical site in Columbia, MO. A cardiovascular study was also completed at Altasciences’ preclinical facility in Scranton, PA.
Bioanalytical sample analysis for the GLP studies is currently ongoing. “We are very pleased to be working with Virpax again and are satisfied with the trajectory our studies have taken. The final step for this program will be a bioanalytical sample analysis. Once samples are validated, this will conclude the IND package,” said Kyle Klepner, Senior Scientist, Study Director, Safety Assessment, Altasciences.
Steve Mason, Co-Chief Operating Officer, Altasciences, added: “The creation of AnQlar as a treatment, if successful, could be a huge leap forward in preventing the spread of influenza and similar viruses. We look forward to further collaboration with Virpax in the near-future.”
Dr. Sheila Mathias PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Virpax, also said of the project: “Our work with Altasciences over the last year has been both exceedingly productive and rewarding demonstrating tangible results, and the nonclinical support provided has been vital in ensuring the progress of this project. ”
About Altasciences
Altasciences is an integrated drug development solution company offering pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies a proven, flexible approach to preclinical and clinical pharmacology studies, including formulation, manufacturing, and analytical services. For over 25 years, Altasciences has been partnering with sponsors to help support educated, faster, and more complete early drug development decisions. Altasciences’ integrated, full-service solutions include preclinical safety testing, clinical pharmacology and proof of concept, bioanalysis, program management, medical writing, biostatistics, clinical monitoring, and data management, all customizable to specific sponsor requirements. Altasciences helps sponsors get better drugs to the people who need them, faster. To learn more about Altasciences, visit altasciences.com.
About Virpax
Virpax is developing branded, non-addictive pain management products candidates using its proprietary technologies to optimize and target drug delivery. Virpax is initially seeking FDA approval for two prescription drug candidates that employ two different patented drug delivery platforms. Probudur™, a single injection liposomal bupivacaine formulation being developed to manage post-operative pain, and Envelta™, an intranasal molecular envelope enkephalin formulation being developed to manage acute and chronic pain, including pain associated with cancer.
Virpax is also using its intranasal molecular envelope technology (MET) to develop two other product candidates. PES200, is a product candidate being developed to manage PTSD, and NobrXiol™, a product candidate being developed for the nasal delivery of a pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol (CBD), for the management of rare pediatric epilepsy.
Having recently acquired global rights to NobrXiol, Virpax has competitive cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) for all three of its prescription drug candidates, two with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and one with the Department of Defense (DOD). Virpax is currently seeking approval of two nonprescription product candidates: AnQlar, which is being developed to inhibit viral replication caused by influenza or SARS-CoV-2, and Epoladerm™, a topical diclofenac spray film formulation being developed to manage pain associated with osteoarthritis.
For more information, please visit virpaxpharma.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230921062012/en/
Contact information
Julie-Ann Cabana
Altasciences
+1 514 601-9763
jcabana@altasciences.com
Virpax Media:
Robert Cavosi
RooneyPartners
rcavosi@rooneypartners.com
(646) 638-9891
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
The Estée Lauder Companies Unveils Mastering Skin Longevity, a Breakthrough Scientific Innovation Platform Advancing the Next Era of Skin Science6.11.2026 16:00:00 EET | Press release
At the China International Import Expo (CIIE), The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) today unveiled Mastering Skin Longevity, a breakthrough scientific innovation platform designed to advance the next era of skin science and transformative product innovation. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261106776704/en/ The Estée Lauder Companies' Skin Longevity Clock serves as the visual representation for the Mastering Skin Longevity scientific innovation platform. Moving beyond the study of individual Hallmarks of Aging, the platform focuses further upstream on the Master Regulators of Skin Longevity. These interconnected biological pathways and proteins influence multiple hallmarks at once. By deepening understanding of these systems and how they help support skin’s ability to repair, adapt and regenerate, Mastering Skin Longevity will guide the Company’s discovery across ingredients, technologies, formulations an
IntouchCX Recognized for Operations led AI and End to End CX Transformation by HFS Research6.11.2026 16:00:00 EET | Press release
IntouchCX a global leader in AI-powered customer experience (CX) management, trust and safety, digital engagement, and back-office operations, has been positioned in the Horizon 2 end-to-end experience transformation, in the HFS Horizons Customer Experience Services 2026 report for its operations led approach to AI adoption and its model connecting advisory with delivery, from strategy through frontline executions. HFS Research evaluates customer experience service providers based on their capabilities, innovation, and potential to deliver value. The 2026 report examines how providers are helping businesses adopt AI, improve customer experiences and strengthen operations. “AI transformation delivers the greatest value when strategy, technology, and operations work together,” said Brent Stevenson, Chief Experience Officer at IntouchCX. “Our approach and expertise goes beyond technology. We identify business challenges and build the right solutions by connecting the dots between data, wo
Experian Named a Leader in 2026 IDC MarketScape for Worldwide Decision Intelligence Platforms6.11.2026 16:00:00 EET | Press release
Experian today announced it has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Decision Intelligence Platforms 2026 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US54118426, September 2026), which evaluates providers helping organizations design, engineer and orchestrate increasingly complex decisions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261106302874/en/ IDC MarketScape positions Experian as a Leader in its 2026 vendor assessment of worldwide decision intelligence platform providers. “As organizations embed AI into more consequential decisions, the combination of trusted data, advanced analytics and strong governance becomes increasingly important,” said Keith Little, President of Experian Software Solutions. “Experian brings those capabilities together with decisioning, fraud and identity to help organizations make better decisions with greater speed and confidence.” The Experian Ascend Platform provides a unified analytics and
Midas Atlantic Partners, in Partnership With the Najafi Companies, Has Entered Into a Put Option Agreement With Sylvamo Relating to the Potential Acquisition of Its European Operations6.11.2026 13:04:00 EET | Press release
Midas Atlantic Partners (“Midas Atlantic”), in partnership with The Najafi Companies, has signed a put option agreement with Sylvamo Corporation (“Sylvamo”) relating to the potential acquisition of its European operations (the “Business”). The transaction comprises Sylvamo’s uncoated freesheet paper mills in Saillat and Nymölla, as well as its forestry and supporting business operations across Europe. Closing is expected in the first quarter of 2027, once the required consultation processes are completed and regulatory approvals are obtained. The Business is a leading European producer of uncoated woodfree (UWF) paper for office and commercial printing. Its product portfolio spans cut-size office paper, sold under its own brands such as REY and Multicopy as well as on behalf of major OEM and office supplies customers, and paper reels for commercial printers and converters. Headquartered in Belgium, with two large-scale, vertically integrated pulp and paper mills, it serves a longstandi
Suzano Reports 36% Increase in Third Quarter Net Revenue Following Consolidation of Arbex6.11.2026 01:23:00 EET | Press release
Suzano (B3: SUZB3 / NYSE: SUZ) , the world’s largest pulp producer, announces its results for the third quarter of 2026 (3Q26), which for the first time include Arbex, the joint venture between Suzano and Kimberly-Clark established in July this year. Driven primarily by the consolidation of Arbex’s contribution, Suzano reported net revenue of BRL16.5 billion, an increase of 36% on the same period last year and a new quarterly record in the company’s 102-year history. Adjusted EBITDA totaled R$5.7 billion in 3Q26, up 9% on the same basis of comparison. Operating cash generation reached R$3.8 billion, an increase of 12%. Net income totaled R$2.1 billion. As announced following the completion of the transaction with Kimberly-Clark, Suzano holds a 51% equity interest in Arbex and will therefore fully consolidate the joint venture’s financial statements from this quarter onwards.1 “This quarter marks the beginning of a new phase for Suzano. With Arbex, we are now a broader business, both ge
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom