Innovation Pharmaceuticals reports in vivo antifungal data on Brilacidin

Innovation Pharmaceuticals provided an update on ongoing research on the broad-spectrum antifungal activity of Brilacidin, the Company’s defensin mimetic drug candidate exhibiting antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. New in vivo data in an A. fumigatus murine fungal keratitis model showed Brilacidin reduced fungal burden and disease severity, while also improving corneal thickness compared to control. Brilacidin-treated corneas harbored almost no viable fungus, suggesting the compound suppressed fungal proliferation within the cornea. Worldwide, on an annual basis, fungal keratitis affects up to 1.5 million people, of whom 75 percent may lose an eye and/or their sight. These new Brilacidin findings in fungal keratitis complement an earlier in vitro and in vivo evaluation of Brilacidin as an ocular anti-infective in bacterial keratitis. A broad-spectrum drug that could target both fungal and bacterial keratitis would be uniquely positioned as to its treatment profile and commercial potential. Planned next steps in Brilacidin antifungal research include extending in vitro and in vivo testing into additional clinical isolates and animal models, and publishing scientific findings. In collaboration with the NIH/NIAID’s mycology division, Brilacidin also is to be screened in multiple fungal species to further characterize its broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Future updates are planned.