Tiziana Life Sciences Ltd. (NASDAQ: TLSA) announced the publication of preclinical study results showing its intranasal anti-CD3 antibody treatment reduced neuroinflammation and improved cognitive function in a mouse model of long COVID.

The study, published as a bioRxiv preprint and conducted by researchers including Akiko Iwasaki from Yale University and Howard L. Weiner from Brigham and Women's Hospital, used a respiratory-restricted SARS-CoV-2 mouse model. The treatment increased regulatory T cells in the brain, reprogrammed microglia, reduced gliosis in white matter and hippocampus, normalized CCL11 levels, and restored neurogenesis.

The research demonstrated that nasal administration of the anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody was effective both shortly after infection and in the chronic phase. Human observational data included in the study showed long COVID patients with neurological symptoms had lower circulating regulatory T cell levels.

The preprint has not undergone peer review. Foralumab, Tiziana's intranasal anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, is described as the only fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody currently in clinical development.

The company is conducting clinical trials with foralumab, including a Phase 2a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. An expanded access program has treated 14 patients with the same condition, with the company reporting improvement or stability in all patients within six months.

The information is based on a company press release statement.