Peregrine Pharma (PPHM) Announces Positive Data for Preclinical VHF Program

November 18, 2009 9:54 AM EST

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: PPHM) today announced that researchers presented positive data on progress in its federally funded preclinical viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) program, confirming that its phosphatidylserine (PS)-targeting antibodies bind to VHF viruses and virally infected cells and increase survival in a model of lethal VHF infection. The data were presented at the 2009 Chemical and Biological Defense Science and Technology (CBD S&T) Conference in Dallas, Texas.

Researchers presented interim data from Peregrine's multi-year program to assess the company's PS-targeting antibodies as broad-spectrum agents for the treatment of viral hemorrhagic fevers, a potential biodefense threat. The studies evaluated the activity of Peregrine's PS-targeting antibodies against representatives of major VHF virus families. In these studies, researchers confirmed broad spectrum PS-targeting antibody binding to VHF viral particles and also demonstrated that Peregrine's PS-targeting antibodies bind to mammalian cells infected with hemorrhagic fever viruses. Initial pharmacokinetic and dosing studies also showed that the PS-targeting antibodies are sustainable in the blood at therapeutically relevant concentrations.

Importantly, initial antiviral efficacy studies reported at the conference were encouraging, showing that a single dose of a PS-targeting antibody increased the survival of hamsters infected with lethal doses of viruses from two different VHF virus families. Based on these positive findings, additional efficacy studies, including repeat dose and combination therapy studies, are now underway.

Researchers also reported that studies are in progress to determine the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of PS-targeting antibodies in additional VHF infection models, as well as to develop lyophilized formulations suitable for an extended shelf life under a variety of storage and shipping conditions. In addition, Peregrine is developing a second-generation, fully human PS-targeting antibody as part of its federally funded antiviral program efforts.

Under a major biodefense initiative, bavituximab and a fully human equivalent antibody are in preclinical development for the treatment of viral hemorrhagic fevers under a federal contract worth up to $44.4 million.

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