N4 Pharma PLC Covid-19 Project Update and operational update (4551H)
25 Marzo 2020 - 1:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMN4P
RNS Number : 4551H
N4 Pharma PLC
25 March 2020
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by
the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under
the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR").
25 March 2020
N4 Pharma Plc
("N4 Pharma" or the "Company")
Covid-19 Project Update and operational update
N4 Pharma Plc (AIM: N4P), the specialist pharmaceutical company
developing Nuvec(R), a novel delivery system for cancer treatments
and vaccines, announces that it will be undertaking a proof of
concept research project using a Covid-19 DNA plasmid for the
purpose of demonstrating the ability of Nuvec(R) to be used as a
delivery system by potential collaboration partners developing
Covid-19 DNA or RNA vaccines.
Nuvec(R) is a silica nanoparticle with elongated silica spikes
radiating from the core. This topography results in a high surface
area which subsequently is coated with Polyethylenimine ("PEI"),
resulting in a positively charged surface. It has been previously
demonstrated that oligonucleotides including plasmid DNA and mRNA
can be attached to the nanoparticle at high loading capacity. In
both in vitro and in vivo test models, the loaded nanoparticle is
taken up by cells involved in transfection/transduction processes
resulting in the synthesis of foreign proteins and stimulation of
the required immunological response.
The proof of concept work will show whether Nuvec(R) is capable
of loading the Covid-19 plasmid and transfecting cells with the
plasmid in vitro. Assuming successful in vitro transfection, the
Company will then undertake a proof of concept in vivo study to
demonstrate the improved transfection when using Nuvec (R),
compared to not using the delivery system, by measuring the
production of the antigenic protein and antibodies generated
against the encoded Covid-19 protein.
The Covid-19 DNA plasmid will be licensed from the National
Institute for Health (NIH) in the USA and is the same plasmid
provided to leading biotech companies and researchers already
working on Covid-19 vaccines. The Company will appoint an
experienced contract research organisation (CRO) that it has worked
with previously to undertake the program of studies outlined above.
Further details on timings will be notified as soon as they are
available. It is important to note that N4 Pharma is not itself
attempting to develop a vaccine for coronavirus, it is purely
seeking to demonstrate whether Nuvec (R) could work as a delivery
system for a vaccine when it is developed.
Operational impact of Covid-19 pandemic
The Company operates a virtual model, so most of its workforce
typically either work from home or in small offices. Therefore,
operationally, the Company has not been affected to date by the UK
Government's requirements regarding social distancing and
self-isolation.
Further, the Company has received confirmation that the main
laboratories contracted by N4 Pharma to undertake research and
those identified as partners for the Covid-19 work detailed above
are implementing rota systems to enable key laboratory staff to
stay and work on projects. As a result, there are no current
significant delays to N4 Pharma's announced work plan. This will be
kept under close review in the coming months, as the situation
evolves.
The Company's academic partner in Australia remains open,
meaning N4 Pharma currently has a continued supply of Nuvec (R) for
its research needs.
On 20 March 2020, the Company's academic partner in the UK
announced it will be closed until after Easter. As this is a
longer-term project, looking at stability testing and efficacy
proof of concept of a DNA plasmid loaded on Nuvec(R) the Company
does not expect this closure to greatly impact their program of
work.
Nigel Theobald, Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
commented:
"Developing a convincing proof of concept data package for
Nuvec(R) is a key priority for the Company so demonstrating whether
Nuvec(R) is capable of loading a plasmid DNA for the Coronavirus
provides an opportunity to show the versatility and potential for
our Nuvec(R) delivery system, and to license Nuvec(R) to partners
looking to develop vaccines for this virus.
We are not doing this work to develop a vaccine for Coronavirus
but rather to demonstrate to those working on these vaccines how
Nuvec(R) may enhance any vaccine and could be beneficial for
subsequent vaccines they may be looking to develop for this
Coronavirus or other viruses that may well surface in the
future."
Enquiries:
N4 Pharma Plc
Nigel Theobald, CEO Via Scott PR
Allenby Capital Limited Tel: +44(0)203 328 5656
James Reeve/Asha Chotai
Scott PR
Georgia Smith Tel: +44(0)1477 539 539
About N4 Pharma
N4 Pharma is a specialist pharmaceutical company developing a
novel delivery system for vaccines and cancer treatments using its
unique silica nanoparticle delivery system called Nuvec(R).
N4 Pharma's business model is to partner with companies
developing novel antigens for vaccines and cancer treatments to use
Nuvec(R) as the delivery vehicle to get their antigen into cells to
express the protein needed for the required immunity. As these
products progress through pre clinical and clinical programs, N4
Pharma will seek to receive up front payments, milestone payments
and ultimately royalty payments once products reach the market.
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