Virex Pharma is honoured to announce it has been awarded $499,241 to develop GlyXine© its proprietary nanoemulsion formulation tailored for respiratory infections caused by Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
RSV is a highly contagious respiratory virus which worldwide affects 64 million individuals of all ages, with a particular impact on infants, young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. It is a major cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia, leading to 3 million hospitalisations and 120,000 in-hospital deaths in children aged under 5 years, worldwide. RSV has been a challenging infection with the market projected to be c. US$4Bn in 2027. Despite the urgent need for effective treatments, there are currently limited therapeutic options available.
In May 2023 Virex Pharma had announced the successful completion of in vitro studies where the results had indicated GlyXine© has a therapeutic index which was significantly higher than those reported by Ventolin and other inhaled corticosteroid products. GlyXine©, has exhibited remarkable potential in inhibiting RSV replication within human cells. The in vitro results provide a strong foundation for further development.
The ISF grant provides the crucial funding for testing GlyXine© in RSV animal models making progress towards taking GlyXine© into the clinic. Virex Pharma is collaborating with Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre based at the Telethon Kids Institute in Perth.
The ISF grant will enable Head of Airway Epithelial Research Associate Professor Anthony Kicic, and Head of Respiratory Environmental Health Associate Professor Alexander Larcombe – both from the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre – to further test the safety, effectiveness, and tolerability of GlyXine© for treating RSV.
Associate Professor Kicic will carry out further in vitro testing of GlyXine© in primary respiratory epithelial cells, and Associate Professor Larcombe will test the safety and efficacy of the drug formulation in RSV animal models.
“Virex Pharma’s drug formulation tailored for respiratory infections presents a potential breakthrough treatment for RSV,” Associate Professor Kicic said.
“The active pharmaceutical ingredient used in GlyXine© has long been used for intravenous treatment of viral hepatitis infections, and it is abundantly produced for commercial purposes, is readily available, and is cheap – so it offers a convenient treatment option.
“At the Wal-yan Centre we are well placed to carry out rigorous scientific research to further test the safety, effectiveness and tolerability of GlyXine©, and to advance its development.”
Associate Professor Larcombe said that with limited treatment options for RSV, the development of an antiviral agent that can be used in non-clinical settings to treat this virus represents a significant unmet need, locally and globally.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Virex Pharma on this important research which could benefit millions of people worldwide.”
Virex Pharma is dedicated to advancing the development of GlyXine© through rigorous scientific research and clinical investigations. The company will continue to collaborate with leading experts, regulatory authorities, and stakeholders to expedite the development and potential regulatory approval of GlyXine©, bringing hope to millions affected by RSV worldwide.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
[Ms Rolee Kumar roleek@virexpharma.com]
About Virex Pharma:
Virex Pharma Ltd is an innovative biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing antiviral therapies for infections caused by RSV, COVID-19 and Dengue viruses. With a focus on addressing critical unmet medical needs, Virex’s research and development efforts aim to revolutionise the treatment landscape for viral infections. Through cutting-edge science, rigorous clinical investigations, and strategic partnerships, Virex strives to bring breakthrough therapies to patients worldwide. For more information, visit: www.virexpharma.com
About the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre
The Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre is a global epicentre for paediatric respiratory research informing clinical practice and driving a new research agenda for childhood lung health. A powerhouse partnership between the Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and Perth Children’s Hospital, the Centre aims to prevent and cure respiratory illness in children and ensure that all children have healthy lungs for life. The Centre has a 30-year history of globally competitive research from diverse groups of internationally acclaimed researchers in Western Australia, working in paediatric research. For more information, visit: walyanrespiratory.org.au
