Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix), a
fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company with marketed products
and a pipeline of development candidates, and Bilthoven Biologicals
(BBio), part of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer the Cyrus
Poonawalla Group, which includes the Serum Institute of India,
today announced a collaboration to advance TNX-801, Tonix’s mpox
vaccine candidate. TNX-801 (recombinant horsepox virus) is a live
replicating, attenuated virus vaccine based on horsepox in
preclinical development to prevent mpox and smallpox.
TNX-801 is based on technology that has the
potential to be used as a viral vector platform from which
recombinant versions can be developed to protect against other
infectious diseases. BBio is a global vaccine company, producing
prophylactic vaccines as well as vaccines for therapeutic use. BBio
has been selected by the European Union for its pandemic
preparedness program of ‘ever warm’ vaccine manufacturing
companies.
TNX-801 has demonstrated in animal models to
provide immune protection with better tolerability than vaccines
based on 20th century vaccinia viruses. Preclinical studies have
shown positive efficacy data, demonstrating that TNX-801 protected
non-human primates against lethal challenge with intratracheal
Clade 1 monkeypox virus. After a single dose vaccination, TNX-801
prevented clinical disease and lesions and decreased shedding in
the mouth and lungs of non-human primates. These findings are
consistent with mucosal immunity and suggest the ability to block
forward transmission.
On August 14, 2024, the World Health
Organization (WHO) determined that the upsurge of mpox in a growing
number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency
of international concern, the second such declaration in the past
two years called in response to an mpox outbreak. The current
outbreak was caused by Clade 1 monkeypox virus, while the 2022
outbreak was caused by Clade 2 monkeypox virus. The global mpox
outbreak from Clade 2, which commenced in 2022, has affected over
90,000 persons in countries where mpox had previously not been
endemic, including Europe and the U.S. The spread of Clade 2b mpox
in 2022 underscores the pandemic potential of the disease. In
several Central African countries, including the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, mpox is currently endemic, with the Clade 1
showing a mortality rate of up to 10%.
“The recent mpox outbreak exemplifies precisely
why we built the pandemic preparedness facility at BBio,” said
Jurgen Kwik, Chief Executive Officer of Bilthoven Biologicals. “The
establishment of the 'ever-warm' facility for pandemic preparedness
underscores the critical importance of readiness in the face of
global health emergencies, such as mpox. This collaboration
encapsulates the essential role of the facility in bolstering
pandemic preparedness and response capabilities."
“We look forward to collaborating with BBio and
to accelerating the development of our vaccine candidate to prevent
mpox,” said Seth Lederman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tonix
Pharmaceuticals. “TNX-801 is administered with a single dose, which
we believe will improve acceptance and eliminate partial
vaccination compared to the current two-dose regimens. We believe
TNX-801 can be rapidly scaled up for manufacturing and can be
distributed and stored without a costly and cumbersome ultra-cold
supply chain. TNX-801 has the potential to make a global impact on
mpox and the risk of smallpox because of its durable T-cell immune
response, the potential to manufacture at scale, and the use of a
lower dose than non-replicating vaccines.”
Dr. Lederman added, “The worldwide availability
of an affordable, safe and effective single dose mpox vaccine is
essential given the pandemic potential of the disease. Successful
development of TNX-801 will establish the foundation for
potentially expanding the viral vector platform, for which
recombinant versions can be developed to protect against other
infectious diseases and future outbreaks. Our TNX-1800 vaccine
(recombinant horsepox virus expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike) in
development to protect against COVID-19 was selected by the U.S.
National Institutes of Health for Project NextGen.”
About TNX-801TNX-801
(recombinant horsepox virus) is a live virus vaccine based on
horsepox in pre-clinical development to prevent mpox and smallpox.
Tonix reported positive preclinical efficacy data, demonstrating
that TNX-801 vaccination protected non-human primates against
lethal challenge with monkeypox.1 Tonix has received official
written response from a Type B pre-Investigational New Drug
Application (IND) meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) to develop TNX-801 as a potential vaccine to
protect against mpox disease and smallpox.2 Tonix believes the FDA
feedback provides a path to agreement on the design of a Phase 1 /2
study and the overall clinical development plan. More than 90,000
people contracted mpox globally. during the 2022-23 epidemic.3 The
June 2023 cluster of mpox in Chicago revealed breakthrough cases of
the disease in individuals who had been vaccinated with the
currently authorized non-replicating vaccine, which is administered
in two doses.4 In contrast, TNX-801 is delivered percutaneously
with only one dose and therefore may achieve higher rates of
community protection by eliminating drop-out between doses and
limiting forward transmission. Moreover, relying on only one
approved mpox vaccine at present is a risk for the global supply
chain that has already led to insufficient availability of vaccines
to meet global health needs, especially in Africa. TNX-801 has the
potential to make a global impact on mpox and the risk of smallpox
because of its durable T-cell immune response, the potential to
manufacture at scale, and the use of a lower dose than
non-replicating vaccines.
1Noyce RS, et al. Viruses. 2023;15(2):356.
https://doi.org/10.3390/v150203562TNX-801 PR pre-IND meeting
8/20/23:
https://ir.tonixpharma.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1417/tonix-pharmaceuticals-announces-results-of-pre-ind-meeting3CDC.
(2022-2023). Mpox Outbreak Global Map
https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/response/2022/world-map.html
4Faherty EA, et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023;72:696–698.
http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7225a6.
About Bilthoven Biologicals
(BBio)
BBio is a Netherlands-based end-to-end vaccine
manufacturer of viral and bacterial vaccines. The company has a
long-standing track record in supplying vaccines to European
markets and global health partners such as UNICEF, PAHO and
WHO/GAVI. With the manufacturing of polio vaccines, BBio is key
contributor to the worldwide program to eradicate polio. BBio is
also acting as contract manufacturer of vaccines used as cancer
treatment, which is registered and supplied to the European market
for the treatment of bladder cancer.
BBio is a carve-out of the former Netherlands
Vaccine Institute and was acquired by Serum Institute of India in
2012 and employs a little over 500 people. BBio is covering the
full vaccine manufacturing value chain with its facilities in
Bilthoven on Utrecht Science Park Bilthoven.
For more information, please visit
www.bbio.nl
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding
Corp.*
Tonix is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical
company focused on developing, licensing and commercializing
therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate
suffering. Tonix recently announced the U.S. Department of Defense
(DoD), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) awarded it a contract
for up to $34 million over five years to develop TNX-4200 small
molecule broad-spectrum antiviral agents targeting CD45 for the
prevention or treatment of infections to improve the medical
readiness of military personnel in biological threat environments.
Tonix owns and operates a state-of-the art infectious disease
research facility in Frederick, MD. The company’s Good
Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-capable advanced manufacturing
facility in Dartmouth, MA was purpose-built to manufacture TNX-801
and the GMP suites are ready to be reactivated in case of a
national or international emergency. Tonix’s development portfolio
is focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Tonix’s
priority is to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) to the FDA in
the second half of 2024 for TNX-102 SL, a product candidate for
which two statistically significant Phase 3 studies have been
completed for the management of fibromyalgia. The FDA has granted
Fast Track designation to TNX-102 SL for the management of
fibromyalgia. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat acute
stress reaction. Tonix’s CNS portfolio includes TNX-1300 (cocaine
esterase), a biologic in Phase 2 development, designed to treat
cocaine intoxication that has Breakthrough Therapy designation.
Tonix’s immunology development portfolio consists of biologics to
address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity and cancer,
including TNX-1500, which is a humanized monoclonal antibody
targeting CD40-ligand (CD40L or CD154) being developed for the
prevention of allograft rejection and for the treatment of
autoimmune diseases. Tonix also has product candidates in
development in the areas of rare disease and infectious
disease, including a vaccine for mpox, TNX-801. Tonix
Medicines, our commercial subsidiary, markets
Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and
Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg for the treatment of
acute migraine with or without aura in adults.
*Tonix’s product development candidates are
investigational new drugs or biologics and have not been approved
for any indication.
Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are registered
trademarks of Tonix Medicines. All other marks are property of
their respective owners.
This press release and further information about
Tonix can be found at www.tonixpharma.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are
forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified
by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,”
“believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among
others. These forward-looking statements are based on Tonix's
current expectations and actual results could differ materially.
There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to
differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking
statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks
related to the failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and
noncompliance with FDA regulations; risks related to the failure to
successfully market any of our products; risks related to the
timing and progress of clinical development of our product
candidates; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of
patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or
third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development
efforts and dependence upon third parties; and substantial
competition. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there
are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and
commercialization of new products. Tonix does not undertake an
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.
Investors should read the risk factors set forth in the Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 1,
2024, and periodic reports filed with the SEC on or after the date
thereof. All of Tonix's forward-looking statements are expressly
qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements.
The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date
thereof.
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Investor
Contact
Jessica MorrisTonix
Pharmaceuticalsinvestor.relations@tonixpharma.com (862)
904-8182
Peter VozzoICR Westwickepeter.vozzo@westwicke.com (443)
213-0505
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Media Contact
Ray JordanPutnam Insightsray@putnaminsights.com
(949) 245-5432
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