AIM ImmunoTech (NYSE:AIM) has announced plans for a follow-up clinical study to evaluate the potential avian influenza combination therapy of its Ampligen with Astra Zeneca’s (NASDAQ: AZN) FluMist.
According to AIM, the proposed trial builds on prior research that the company has sponsored at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, which demonstrated that intranasal administration of Ampligen following the intranasal delivery of the FluMist seasonal influenza vaccine enhanced the immune response to seasonal variants by more than fourfold, and induced cross-reactive secretory Immunoglobulin A against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus strains H5N1, H7N9 and H7N3.
Thomas K. Equels, CEO of AIM, commented, “The avian flu has emerged as a serious and ever-growing public health threat. We believe there is the potential for an influenza vaccination program that provides broader coverage than the currently approved vaccination programs, with the added simplicity of being delivered intranasally.”
“Specifically, there is already both pre-clinical and clinical data which demonstrates potential for synergy between our lead compound Ampligen to provide greater efficacy and potential epitope spreading and cross-reactivity for avian influenza when combined with AstraZeneca’s FluMist vaccine. Based on the UAB clinical data to date, we believe such a combination therapy could also be an effective barrier against avian flu infections,” Mr. Equels added.
