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Poolbeg Pharma #POLB – CEO Jeremy Skillington talks to Alan Green
Poolbeg Pharma CEO Jeremy Skillington talks to Alan Green, and recaps on the developments at the company since last year. These include the strategic collaboration with a Nasdaq-Listed Biopharma Co to use Poolbeg’s oral delivery technology, the expansion of Poolbeg’s IP, and the appointment t of a number of key former Amryt Pharma executives, namely David Allmond, John McEvoy and Laura Maher. Jeremy highlights the recent progress with the flagship POLB 001 and its potential in both preventing and treating cancer immunotherapy-induced CRS (Cytokine Release Syndrome), and then looks at the Oral GLP-1R agonist and the latest from the AI collaboration with CytoReason. We finish by looking at the team, which now includes Cathal Friel who has returned to the helm as Exec Chairman, the robust financial position and upcoming milestones for 2024.
Poolbeg Pharma #POLB August 2023 – CEO Jeremy Skillington talks to Alan Green
Poolbeg CEO Jeremy Skillington talks to Alan Green in this August 2023 interview, and explains the company’s ‘capital light’ model that is giving the group a real market advantage. Jeremy then covers the developments this year with Poolbeg’s flagship POLB001 asset towards a blockbuster treatment for severe influenza, and the expansion of application into oncology and obesity. We then discuss joint ventures with AnaBio Technologies in the EncOVac consortium and the Cytoreason AI collaboration, before looking at Jeremy’s own aspirations and thoughts for Poolbeg’s future.
Poolbeg Pharma #POLB – POLB 001 LPS human challenge clinical trial successfully completed & no serious adverse events reported.
12 December 2022 – Poolbeg Pharma (AIM: POLB, OTCQB: POLBF, ‘Poolbeg’ or the ‘Company’), a leading infectious disease focused biopharmaceutical company, announces that, further to its announcement in July 2022, it has now received the initial results having completed the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) human challenge clinical trial for POLB 001, a viral strain agnostic, small molecule immunomodulator being developed to address the unmet medical need for severe influenza.
Key highlights from the study:
· No further clinical activity is required to complete the objectives of the trial, bringing the recruitment and clinical phase to a close on schedule
· No serious adverse events reported. POLB 001 was found to be safe and well tolerated
· Data analysis has commenced and full data read-out is expected in Q2 2023
· The comprehensive dataset is expected to facilitate progression of the product to the next clinical phase for potential partners
This LPS challenge trial was designed to evaluate the effect of POLB 001 on inflammatory responses in 36 healthy volunteers between 18 and 55 years of age following an intradermal and an intravenous LPS challenge. LPS acts as a surrogate for the hyperinflammatory response associated with severe influenza and other diseases.
POLB 001 is a unique potential treatment for viruses such as severe influenza as it is strain agnostic, unlike other flu treatments and prophylactics. This means that it can be effective regardless of which strain of influenza is dominant in any particular season or geography. As a shelf-stable, oral drug it could also be ideal as a stockpiling candidate for both seasonal outbreaks and pandemic preparedness.
Jeremy Skillington, PhD, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma, said:
“We have completed our first trial on schedule, achieving a key milestone for Poolbeg, thanks to the committed efforts of the team. We are actively planning the next steps for POLB 001 and are engaging with industry on potential partnering opportunities.
“The threat of influenza shouldn’t be underestimated. Cases are on the rise – the WHO estimates that there are 3-5 million severe influenza cases globally per year, with real pandemic potential. Severe influenza can also lead to other major complications such as pneumonia and stroke. There is a significant unmet need for severe influenza treatments, so we eagerly anticipate the full results of this study next year.”
Matthijs Moerland, PhD, Principal Investigator at CHDR, said:
“LPS human challenge trials are a highly reliable way of measuring the efficacy of anti-inflammatory drugs and these initial data are an important first step. We are pleased to be involved in the development of a potential treatment for such an unmet need as severe influenza and we look forward to the vital insights that the full analysis will bring.”
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Enquiries
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Poolbeg Pharma Plc Jeremy Skillington, CEO Ian O’Connell, CFO
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+44 (0) 207 183 1499 |
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finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker) Geoff Nash, Charlie Beeson, Nigel Birks, Harriet Ward (ECM)
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+44 (0) 207 220 0500 |
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Singer Capital Markets (Joint Broker) Phil Davies, Sam Butcher
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+44 (0) 207 496 3000 |
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J&E Davy (Joint Broker) Anthony Farrell, Niall Gilchrist
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+353 (0) 1 679 6363 |
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Optimum Strategic Communications Mary Clark, Nick Bastin, Manel Mateus, Vici Rabbetts
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+44 (0) 208 078 4357 poolbeg@optimumcomms.com |
About Poolbeg Pharma
Poolbeg Pharma specialises in the development of innovative medicines to address the unmet need in prevalent and emerging infectious diseases. Poolbeg has a disciplined portfolio approach to mitigate risk, accelerate drug development and enhance investor returns. The Company simultaneously advances multiple programmes in cost-effective clinical trials, rapidly generating early human safety and efficacy data to enable early partnering / out-licensing, with the funds generated reinvested in the pipeline. Poolbeg also uses AI to interrogate human challenge trial data sets to quickly identify new targets and drugs, and in-license near or in the clinic medicines, leading to faster development and greater commercial appeal.
The Company is targeting the growing infectious disease market. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease has become one of the fastest growing pharma markets and is expected to exceed $250bn by 2025.
With its initial assets from hVIVO plc (formerly Open Orphan plc), an industry leading infectious disease and human challenge trials business, Poolbeg has access to knowledge, experience, and clinical data from over 20 years of human challenge trials. The Company is using these insights to acquire new assets as well as reposition clinical stage products, reducing spend and risk. Amongst its portfolio of exciting assets, Poolbeg has a small molecule immunomodulator for severe influenza (POLB 001) which has completed its LPS human challenge trial with full data read-out expected in Q2 2023; a first-in-class, intranasally administered RNA-based immunotherapy for respiratory virus infections (POLB 002); and a vaccine candidate for Melioidosis (POLB 003). The Company is also developing an Oral Vaccine Platform and is progressing two Artificial Intelligence (AI) Programmes to accelerate the power of its human challenge model data and biobank, with results from the first programme expected by year end.
For more information, please go to www.poolbegpharma.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn @PoolbegPharma.
Further detail on POLB 001
This trial is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple dose, LPS human challenge trial in 36 healthy volunteers to assess the potential efficacy of POLB 001 in treating the hyperinflammatory responses associated with severe influenza. As part of the trial, researchers stimulated the immune systems of healthy volunteers with LPS across three cohorts. LPS triggers a robust immune response and acts as a surrogate for the hyperinflammatory effects associated with severe influenza infection, as well as other diseases. Each cohort received escalating doses of POLB 001 to evaluate its effectiveness in suppressing the body’s harmful inflammatory response to both intradermal (a shallow injection) and intravenous (an injection in a vein) administered LPS, which will produce a broad-ranging dataset.
Given POLB 001’s mode of action, it is viral strain agnostic as it treats the body’s reaction to infection rather than targeting the virus directly and, as such, POLB 001 is unaffected by the seasonal variants of influenza that arise each year which is a significant advantage over influenza treatments available on the market. Therefore, POLB 001 has the potential to be a transformational treatment for patients and to become a leading severe influenza treatment. POLB 001 has patent protection until 2038 and is a shelf-stable oral drug which makes it ideal as a stockpiling candidate for both seasonal outbreaks and pandemic preparedness.
POLB 001 also has potential therapeutic applications beyond severe influenza, due to its mode of action of reducing hyperinflammation (cytokine storm). This is when harmful inflammation occurs in different areas of the body, such as the heart and lungs, causing organ damage which is linked with many diseases. POLB 001 has the potential to block this by interrupting the positive feedback loop of inflammatory mediators. Poolbeg is currently investigating new potential uses and in due course hopes to expand its IP around this asset to cover new disease areas thereby increasing the value of the asset.
The data collected in the previous Phase I study demonstrated that POLB 001 administration produces a potent and long-lasting inhibition of p38 MAP Kinase activity in humans. The study showed that after administration of single doses up to 600 mg and repeated doses up to 150 mg there were neither serious nor limiting adverse events to POLB 001, and that after a twice daily dose of 150mg an inhibition of LPS-induced TNFα of between 70% and 90% was achieved.
About Influenza
Influenza is a viral pathogen that infects approximately one-eighth of the world’s population each year, an estimated 1 billion people infected globally, attacking the respiratory system leading to between 5 and 10 million hospitalisations and as many as 500,000 influenza related deaths. Survivors of severe influenza can suffer organ damage, leading to chronic and life-changing injuries. Complications include a 6-fold increased risk of heart attack, an 8-fold increased risk of Pneumonia, and an 8-fold increased risk of stroke. This leads to an enormous compound cost of treatment – influenza contributes to an estimated economic burden of $11.2bn every year in the US alone
Poolbeg Pharma #POLB – Influenza Artificial Intelligence model build completed & on track to deliver outputs in Q2 2023
Poolbeg Pharma (AIM: POLB, OTCQB: POLBF, ‘Poolbeg’ or the ‘Company’), a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company with a unique capital light clinical model, announces that, further to its announcement in March 2022 , the construction of the computational artificial intelligence (AI) influenza disease model has been completed by CytoReason Limited (‘CytoReason’), indicating that it is on track to deliver outputs in Q2 2023.
The model aims to unlock clinically meaningful insights into influenza infection and recovery through the analysis of Poolbeg’s unique human challenge trial data. CytoReason has now built a tailored AI model using Poolbeg’s data which will allow the team to identify novel influenza drug targets for Poolbeg.
CytoReason’s technologies are externally validated through its commercial partnerships with five of the world’s top ten global pharma companies accessing its world-leading AI models, including Pfizer, Roche, and Sanofi. CytoReason’s application of Poolbeg’s unique human challenge trial data to build and train its first AI model in infectious diseases further testifies to the value of this data.
CytoReason’s world leading algorithms and experts will enable the Poolbeg team to identify the most promising drug targets to treat disease. The Company plans to source drugs with existing Phase I safety data that, in line with the Poolbeg business model, can immediately continue clinical development to rapidly generate early human proof of concept data for influenza, with the ultimate aim of monetising the asset through partnerships and licensing deals with pharma and biotech.
Jeremy Skillington, PhD, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma, said:
“CytoReason builds world-class AI disease models and we look forward with great anticipation to the outputs from their analysis of our unique repository of clinical samples and associated data from influenza human challenge trials. Indeed this is the first time that AI is being used to analyse influenza human challenge trial data which Poolbeg is proud to be part of.”
“Completion of this first stage of development demonstrates yet another milestone reached in the Company’s stated R&D strategy and brings us one step closer to realising the significant opportunities that arise from this partnership. There is a growing focus on AI discovered drug targets within the industry and we are assessing interest in collaboration opportunities for our AI-enabled novel targets which we expect in Q2 2023 from this programme. “
David Harel, CEO of CytoReason, said:
“Now that our influenza disease model has been enriched by Poolbeg’s unparalleled data, we are excited to evaluate the novel disease mechanisms on our platform. This will potentially identify drug targets that can be used to develop treatments for influenza, a significant global health threat, in a much shorter time-frame and more cost effectively than with traditional reductionist analysis and drug discovery techniques.”
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Enquiries
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Poolbeg Pharma Plc Jeremy Skillington, CEO Ian O’Connell, CFO
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+44 (0) 207 183 1499 |
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finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker) Geoff Nash, Charlie Beeson, Nigel Birks, Harriet Ward (ECM)
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+44 (0) 207 220 0500 |
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Singer Capital Markets (Joint Broker) Phil Davies, Sam Butcher
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+44 (0) 207 496 3000 |
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J&E Davy (Joint Broker) Anthony Farrell, Niall Gilchrist
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+353 (0) 1 679 6363 |
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Instinctif Partners Melanie Toyne Sewell, Rozi Morris, Tim Field, Adam Loudon
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+44 (0) 20 7457 2020 |
Further detail on Poolbeg’s Artificial Intelligence Programmes
Poolbeg Pharma has access to a unique private repository of clinical samples and associated data from human challenge trials via its relationship with hVIVO plc (formerly Open Orphan plc), a resource which is anticipated to expand over the coming years.Data from human challenge trials are unique in that they track a healthy subject through disease to recovery in carefully controlled and monitored isolation units, collecting samples throughout the course of disease, and vitally collecting matched baseline and follow-up samples before and after infection. This data is unique in the depth of longitudinal virology, health, biomarker and symptom data collected during the course of disease. These datasets provide clinical insights into disease that guides Poolbeg Pharma’s product acquisitions and clinical development.
CytoReason’s machine learning algorithm works by combing through enormous repositories of clinical data to build models of human disease, which can then be used by biotech and pharmaceutical partners to identify novel targets, prioritise mono/combination therapies, find biomarkers, and understand which patients will benefit most from those new treatments. CytoReason will be analysing blood transcriptomics, proteomics, DNA sequences and viral loads and disease signs and symptoms from the human challenge trials. The aim is for CytoReason to prioritise new drug targets quickly and cost effectively, in a manner consistent with Poolbeg’s business model.
The Company is currently progressing two AI Programmes, the first in RSV in partnership with OneThree Biotech , and the second in influenza in partnership with CytoReason . Poolbeg believe that this is the first time that AI analysis has been undertaken on RSV and influenza human challenge trial data and samples to identify new drug targets and treatments. The unique nature of human challenge trials to produce disease progression data with high precision is revolutionising the insights into human disease.
About Influenza
Influenza is a viral pathogen that infects approximately one-eighth of the world’s population each year, an estimated 1 billion people infected globally, attacking the respiratory system leading to between 5 and 10 million hospitalisations and as many as 500,000 influenza related deaths. Survivors of influenza can suffer organ damage, leading to chronic and life-changing injuries. Health organisations have warned that the upcoming influenza season could be especially severe, as a consequence of low immunity to the virus due to the pandemic causing a break in exposure.
About Poolbeg Pharma
Poolbeg Pharma is a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company, with a unique capital light clinical model which aims to develop multiple products faster and more cost effectively than the conventional biotech model. The Company, headquartered in London, is led by a team with a track record of creation and delivery of shareholder value and aspires to become a “one-stop shop” for pharma and biotech seeking mid-stage products to license or acquire.
The Company is targeting the growing infectious disease market. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease has become one of the fastest growing pharma markets and is expected to exceed $250bn by 2025.
With its initial assets from hVIVO plc (formerly named Open Orphan plc), an industry leading infectious disease and human challenge trials business, Poolbeg has access to knowledge, experience, and clinical data from over 20 years of human challenge trials. The Company is using these insights to acquire new assets as well as reposition clinical stage products, reducing spend and risk. Amongst its portfolio of exciting assets, Poolbeg has a small molecule immunomodulator for severe influenza (POLB 001) which has commenced its LPS human challenge trial with initial results expected by year end 2022; a first-in-class, intranasally administered RNA-based immunotherapy for respiratory virus infections (POLB 002); and a vaccine candidate for Melioidosis (POLB 003). The Company is also developing an oral vaccine delivery platform and is progressing two artificial intelligence (AI) programmes to accelerate the power of its human challenge model data and biobank, with results from the first programme expected by year end 2022.
For more information, please go to www.poolbegpharma.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn @PoolbegPharma.
About CytoReason
CytoReason is a leading technology company developing computational disease models. The company collects proprietary data from pharmaceutical companies and uses it to simulate human diseases – tissue by tissue and cell by cell. With CytoReason’s massive database and AI-led platform, pharma and biotech companies can identify new opportunities, shorten trial phases, reduce development costs, and increase the likelihood of drug approval. To date, five of the world’s top ten pharma companies use CytoReason’s technology. For more information, visit www.cytoreason.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.
Poolbeg Pharma #POLB – Poolbeg-led consortium awarded EUR 2.3m grant
15 November 2022 – Poolbeg Pharma (AIM: POLB, OTCQB: POLBF, ‘Poolbeg’ or the ‘Company’), a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company with a unique capital light clinical model, announces that ‘EncOVac’, a consortium led by Poolbeg Pharma, has been awarded €2.3m in non-dilutive grant funding to progress its Oral Vaccine Platform under the Irish Government’s Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (‘DTIF’).
Taking place over three years, the collaboration between Poolbeg Pharma, University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin and AnaBio Technologies will result in the development of an oral vaccine candidate to a Phase I ready state. The resulting technology will serve as a platform for additional oral vaccine candidates for a wide range of pathogens, initially targeting bacterial infections. Poolbeg is proud to play a role in the development of the next generation of vaccine technologies that can protect the world from infectious diseases.
Poolbeg licensed AnaBio’s microencapsulation and nanoencapsulation technologies for use in the development and commercialisation of oral vaccines in January 2022 . By delivering vaccines to the gut, oral vaccines can trigger ‘mucosal immunity’ that results in a protective response in the areas of the body where a pathogen would be inhaled or ingested such as the nose and digestive tracts. In comparison to intramuscular injections which generate systemic immunity, this approach prevents infections from taking hold in the body by counteracting them at the point of entry. This has the effect of both reducing transmission and preventing serious disease. Oral vaccines also offer an efficient method of administration and significantly reduce challenges for distribution, addressing the gaps in supplying the global community as well as needle-phobia which factors in vaccine hesitancy.
Jeremy Skillington, PhD, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma said: “We are grateful for the support of the Irish Government in awarding this funding and delighted to be working with our consortium of high-quality partners in University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin and AnaBio. The funding will support the progression of this exciting oral vaccine platform that has the potential to improve the ways vaccines are manufactured, distributed and administered for the future. Poolbeg continues to target non-dilutive funding opportunities and we are delighted that this DTIF award is our first success.”
Prof Siobhán McClean, Associate Professor at University College Dublin (“UCD”) said: “I am pleased to work with the other members of this consortium to bring the antigens my team have identified and developed, closer to the clinic so that together, we can protect people from infectious diseases.”
Prof Ed Lavelle, Professor of Immunology at Trinity College Dublin (“TCD”) said: “The pharmaceutical industry has long aspired to develop subunit oral vaccines and I believe we have assembled a consortium of experts and ground-breaking technologies that are uniquely placed to make them a reality.”
Dr Sinéad Bleiel, Founder & Chief Scientific Officer of AnaBio Technologies said: “Having demonstrated the potential of our encapsulation technology to deliver drug products safely and effectively to the gut, we are excited to collaborate with the EncOVac team of world class researchers, led by Poolbeg and supported by the Irish Government as part of the world’s renewed fight against infectious diseases.”
Prof Luke O’Neill, Non-Executive Director, Scientific Advisory Board and Project Advisory Board Chair said:“Oral vaccines are currently only available to treat a small number of pathogens and a more comprehensive approach to vaccine development is needed to design new, safe, and effective oral vaccines. Such a system would revolutionise our approach to protecting people from infectious diseases, unleashing their full potential.”
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Enquiries
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Poolbeg Pharma Plc Jeremy Skillington, CEO Ian O’Connell, CFO
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+44 (0) 207 183 1499 |
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finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker) Geoff Nash, Charlie Beeson
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+44 (0) 207 220 0500 |
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Singer Capital Markets (Joint Broker) Phil Davies, Sam Butcher
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+44 (0) 207 496 3000 |
|
J&E Davy (Joint Broker) Anthony Farrell, Niall Gilchrist
|
+353 (0) 1 679 6363 |
|
Instinctif Partners Melanie Toyne Sewell, Rozi Morris, Tim Field
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+44 (0) 20 7457 2020 |
Notes to Editors
About EncOVac
Leveraging the pioneering work of Assoc. Professor Siobhán McClean in University College Dublin (“UCD”), the Consortium will use vaccine candidates identified in her lab as the basis for an oral vaccine that is generated through a highly specialized encapsulation process developed by Dr. Sinéad Bleiel of Anabio Technologies. Working with Ed Lavelle, vaccine adjuvant expert and a mucosal immunologist in Trinity College Dublin (“TCD”), the consortium will develop a vaccine candidate through pre-clinical testing to a Phase I ready state. Poolbeg has previously announced an exclusive license with Anabio for the use of their technology in vaccine delivery and has successfully in-licensed onevaccine candidate from UCD and continues to evaluate five other potential vaccine candidates developed by Associate Professor Siobhán McClean and her team.
About Oral Vaccines
By delivering vaccines to the gut, this approach can trigger ‘mucosal immunity’ that results in a protective response in the areas of the body where a pathogen would be inhaled or ingested such as the nose and digestive tracts. In comparison to intramuscular injections which generate systemic immunity, this approach prevents infections from taking hold in the body by counteracting them at the point of entry. This has the effect of both reducing transmission and preventing serious disease. Oral vaccines also offer an efficient method of administration and significantly reduce challenges for distribution, addressing the gaps in supplying the global community as well as needle-phobia which factors in vaccine hesitancy.
A recent World Health Organisation Report (“WHO”) estimated that the global market value for vaccines was approximately $33b in 2019, before the substantial investment arising from the pandemic. The development of an oral vaccine platform that could replace some injectable vaccines would serve to improve vaccination rates, address critical inequalities in distribution and help to create a healthier world.
About the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund
The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) is a €500 million fund established under the National Development Plan (NDP) in 2018. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment manages the DTIF with administrative support from Enterprise Ireland. The purpose of the Fund is to drive collaboration between Ireland’s world-class research base and industry as well as facilitating enterprises to compete directly for funding in support of the development and adoption of these technologies. The aim is to support investment in the development and deployment of disruptive technologies and applications on a commercial basis.
About Poolbeg Pharma
Poolbeg Pharma is a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company, with a unique capital light clinical model which aims to develop multiple products faster and more cost effectively than the conventional biotech model. The Company, headquartered in London, is led by a team with a track record of creation and delivery of shareholder value and aspires to become a “one-stop shop” for pharma and biotech seeking mid-stage products to license or acquire.
The Company is targeting the growing infectious disease market. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease has become one of the fastest growing pharma markets and is expected to exceed $250bn by 2025.
With its initial assets from hVIVO plc (formerly named Open Orphan plc) , an industry leading infectious disease and human challenge trials business, Poolbeg has access to knowledge, experience, and clinical data from over 20 years of human challenge trials. The Company is using these insights to acquire new assets as well as reposition clinical stage products, reducing spend and risk. Amongst its portfolio of exciting assets, Poolbeg has a small molecule immunomodulator for severe influenza (POLB 001) which has commenced its LPS human challenge trial with initial results expected by year end 2022; a first-in-class, intranasally administered RNA-based immunotherapy for respiratory virus infections (POLB 002); and a vaccine candidate for Melioidosis (POLB 003). The Company is also developing an oral vaccine delivery platform and is progressing two artificial intelligence (AI) programmes to accelerate the power of its human challenge model data and biobank, with results from the first programme expected by year end 2022.
Poolbeg’s role in the project will be to prepare the vaccine candidate for clinical approval, including the preparation of pre-clinical toxicology work and the preparation of a regulatory dossiers for submission to the relevant authorities prior to the initiation of clinical trials. In addition to these activities, as the consortium-lead, Poolbeg will be responsible for project management, intellectual property protection and the coordination of publicity
For more information, please go to www.poolbegpharma.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn @PoolbegPharma.
About AnaBio Technologies
AnaBio Technologies is a specialist microencapsulation company, focused on improving health and performance through micro-encapsulation of sensitive bioactive ingredients for food, beverage and pharmaceutical applications. Founded in 2011 by Dr Sinead Bleiel, and based in Carrigtwohill Co Cork, AnaBio has developed into a global leader in the field of micro encapsulation with 15 patent families and clients across N America, Asia, and EU.
Bioactives and APIs clearly bestow health benefits, but are vulnerable to being inactivated by environmental stresses encountered during processing, storage and digestion. This can result in limited quantities of intact active bioactives reaching the site of action in the body, and no health benefit.
Microencapsulation represents a sophisticated delivery system designed to overcome this problem. A protective coat is created at microscopic level around the bioactive or API which protects the ingredient from a wide range of environmental conditions, enables its release at the appropriate site within the body, and thereby ensures that the potential health benefits of the bioactive are fully realised. AnaBio Technologies offers its clients a range of services including contract research to develop bespoke microencapsulation solutions, commercial scale manufacture and supply of microencapsulated ingredients and licensing of its patented microencapsulated technology.
As part of the project, Anabio will be responsible for the encapsulation of the vaccine antigen and adjuvant combination. This will protect vaccine antigens from the degradative environment of the digestive tract and deliver vaccine constituents via a triggered release of microcapsule dissolution at a specific pH, which is characteristic to the location of the intestine where antigen uptake is targeted.
For further information, visit www.anabio.ie or email aidan.fitzsimons@anabio.ie .
About University College Dublin (“UCD”)
UCD is Ireland’s largest and most diverse university and one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities. Since 1854 UCD has made a unique contribution to the creation of modern Ireland, based on successful engagement with Irish society on every level and across every sphere of activity. As Ireland’s leading university in innovation, knowledge transfer and commercialisation, UCD’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship recognises the importance of active participation and collaboration to exploit leading-edge research and development outputs. As set-out in Rising to the Future 2020-2024 UCD’s four strategic themes are; creating a sustainable global society, transforming through digital technology, building a healthy world, and empowering humanity.
To further expand the diseases the oral vaccine platform can target, the team in UCD will characterise and prioritise additional vaccines candidates using the proteomic platform technology previously developed by the McClean lab. Once a preferred candidate is identified, its efficacy following encapsulation will be assessed in an animal challenge model.
For further information, visit www.ucd.ie
About Trinity College Dublin (“TCD”)
Trinity College Dublin, founded in 1592, is Ireland’s oldest university. Today it has a vibrant community of over 20,000 students and is recognised internationally as Ireland’s premier university, currently 98th in the QS University World Rankings. Cutting edge research, technology and innovation places the university at the forefront of higher education in Ireland and globally. It encompasses all major academic disciplines, and is committed to world-class teaching and research across a range of disciplines in the arts, humanities, engineering, science, social and health sciences. Trinity is Europe’s leading university for graduate entrepreneurship and has placed innovation and entrepreneurship at the heart of its strategy – from the development of plans for a new innovation campus at Grand Canal Quay, to the establishment of the University Bridge I and University Bridge Fund II.
The selection of an adjuvant that can help to stimulate robust mucosal immune responses for oral delivery will be a key task for the Lavelle lab during the course of the project. In the later stages of the project, the Lavelle lab will be responsible for the generation of data required for the filing of regulatory dossiers to proceed with clinical trials.
For further information, visit www.tcd.ie
Poolbeg Pharma #POLB – Artificial intelligence programme yields multiple novel RSV drug targets
8 November 2022 – Poolbeg Pharma (AIM: POLB, OTCQB: POLBF, ‘Poolbeg’ or the ‘Company’), a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company with a unique capital light clinical model, announces that it has made a significant breakthrough in its Artificial Intelligence (‘AI’) Programme with partner OneThree Biotech, Inc. through the discovery of novel drug targets for the treatment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (‘RSV’).
Following the completion of the build and optimisation of a tailored AI model in June 2022, the OneThree team, using its clinically validated AI platform, have identified novel drug targets using Poolbeg’s unique RSV human challenge trial data. The identification of these novel drug targets now allows the final stage of the programme to commence which will involve the identification of small molecule inhibitors to effectively treat RSV infections. The team are particularly excited as these include a range of targets for which there are known drugs with existing Phase I safety and tolerability data. Prioritisation of compounds with existing Phase I data aligns with Poolbeg’s capital light model as these compounds will have extensive nonclinical and clinical data allowing smooth transition to early human efficacy trials.
The final stage of the research plan will utilise OneThree’s proprietary ATLANTIS AI platform to identify the drugs that are most likely to be efficacious against the identified disease targets with clean safety profiles in RSV patients. Selection of drugs is traditionally a long and extensive process, however, by using an existing AI model this process can be completed in weeks. Results of this stage are expected before year end 2022.
Traditional drug design is focused on identifying a molecule that can bind with a specific target within a cell. Poolbeg’s approach, utilising OneThree Biotech’s advanced AI models, allows for the complex disease signature underlying each drug target to be considered during drug selection. This allows the complex outputs of this stage, which represent novel biological insights, to be advanced to the final stage which will match drugs to prioritised targets. By working from disease signatures like this, OneThree Biotech can utilise the full strength of its AI technology to pinpoint the drug molecules that can precisely and effectively reverse disease signatures and produce meaningful clinical benefits.
Jeremy Skillington, PhD, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma, said:
“This is the first time that AI has been used to identify disease targets in RSV and I am delighted to have reached this significant milestone in the programme in such a short period of time. Having identified these novel disease targets, we can now commence the final stage of the programme to identify effective drug candidates to treat RSV. In keeping with our capital-light model, this AI enabled in silico R&D approach has significantly accelerated the discovery process by having the right partners and the right expertise to unleash the potential of our unique human challenge trial data. We greatly look forward to seeing the outputs of this programme later this year.”
Neel S. Madhukar, PhD, CEO of OneThree Biotech said:
“This analysis is pioneering in RSV research, and we are pleased to have identified disease targets from which effective drug candidates can be explored. We are fortunate to have access to Poolbeg’s unique human challenge trial data because it was collected in a controlled and powered quarantine which increases the overall strength and predictive power you can get from it. Additionally, thanks to the combination of Poolbeg’s data and our ATLANTIS platform, we were able to reach this point in our project in only eight months – significantly faster than a traditional drug discovery project – and we’re excited to make meaningful progress in the treatment of infectious diseases, such as RSV.”
– Ends –
Enquiries
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Poolbeg Pharma Plc Jeremy Skillington, CEO Ian O’Connell, CFO
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+44 (0) 207 183 1499 |
|
finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker) Geoff Nash, Charlie Beeson
|
+44 (0) 207 220 0500 |
|
Singer Capital Markets (Joint Broker) Phil Davies, Sam Butcher
|
+44 (0) 207 496 3000 |
|
J&E Davy (Joint Broker) Anthony Farrell, Niall Gilchrist
|
+353 (0) 1 679 6363 |
|
Instinctif Partners Melanie Toyne Sewell, Rozi Morris, Tim Field
|
+44 (0) 20 7457 2020 poolbeg@instinctif.com |
About RSV
RSV is a contagious virus that affects people’s respiratory tract with children and at-risk older adults being particularly vulnerable; in severe cases, it can cause pneumonia and other life-threatening breathing difficulties. RSV is a significant public health threat affecting an estimated 50 million people annually, leading to 4 million global hospitalisations and an estimated 100,000 deaths in children under the age of 5 years. An estimated 45% of these cases and deaths occur in new-born infants under the age of 6 months. Studies have suggested that treatment for RSV in children under five alone costs governments globally €4.8bn every year.
About Poolbeg’s AI Programmes
Poolbeg Pharma has access to a unique private repository of clinical samples and associated data from human challenge trials via its relationship with Open Orphan plc, a resource which is anticipated to expand over the coming years. Human challenge trial data is unique in the depth of longitudinal virology, health, biomarker and symptom data collected during the course of disease. These datasets provide clinical insights into disease that guides Poolbeg Pharma’s product acquisitions and clinical development.
The Company is currently progressing two AI Programmes, the first in RSV in partnership with OneThree Biotech, and the second in influenza in partnership with CytoReason. Poolbeg believe that this is the first time that AI analysis has been undertaken on RSV and influenza human challenge trial data and samples to identify new drug targets and treatments. The unique nature of human challenge trials to produce disease progression data with high precision is revolutionising the insights into human disease.
Poolbeg’s asset POLB 001, which has commenced its LPS human challenge trial with initial trial data expected before year end, was identified using such disease progression data. However, by utilising AI, the Company aims to identify more targets quicker and more cost efficiently than previously possible without this technology.
About Poolbeg Pharma
Poolbeg Pharma is a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company, with a unique capital light clinical model which aims to develop multiple products faster and more cost effectively than the conventional biotech model. The Company, headquartered in London, is led by a team with a track record of creation and delivery of shareholder value and aspires to become a “one-stop shop” for pharma and biotech seeking mid-stage products to license or acquire.
The Company is targeting the growing infectious disease market. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease has become one of the fastest growing pharma markets and is expected to exceed $250bn by 2025.
With its initial assets from hVIVO plc (formerly named Open Orphan plc), an industry leading infectious disease and human challenge trials business, Poolbeg has access to knowledge, experience, and clinical data from over 20 years of human challenge trials. The Company is using these insights to acquire new assets as well as reposition clinical stage products, reducing spend and risk. Amongst its portfolio of exciting assets, Poolbeg has a small molecule immunomodulator for severe influenza (POLB 001) which has commenced its LPS human challenge trial with initial results expected by year end 2022; a first-in-class, intranasally administered RNA-based immunotherapy for respiratory virus infections (POLB 002); and a vaccine candidate for Melioidosis (POLB 003). The Company is also developing an oral vaccine delivery platform and is progressing two artificial intelligence (AI) programmes to accelerate the power of its human challenge model data and biobank, with results from the first programme expected by year end 2022.
For more information, please go to www.poolbegpharma.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn @PoolbegPharma.
About OneThree Biotech
OneThree Biotech is a private, clinically validated, biology-driven artificial intelligence (AI) company focused on using its proprietary ATLANTIS AI platform in combination with systems biology to understand the mechanisms that drive drug-target-disease relationships. This approach has been used not only to generate a pipeline of first-in-class programs, but also in partnerships with other biopharmaceutical companies. OneThree Biotech’s proven technology platform integrates chemical, biological, and clinical data with cutting-edge computational tools to answer complex questions surrounding disease biology and drug discovery. The company’s AI platform has shown success in identifying new targets for the treatment of various cancers and optimizing early-stage drug discovery and development by quickly and accurately generating new, testable insights and hypotheses. The OneThree platform has been validated across early-stage drug discovery through multiple partnerships, clinical trials, and more than 20 peer-reviewed publications. OneThree Biotech is based in New York City.
Twitter: @onethreebiotech
Poolbeg Pharma #POLB – POLB 001 US Patent update
4 October 2022 – Poolbeg Pharma (AIM: POLB, OTCQB: POLBF, ‘Poolbeg’ or the ‘Company’), a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company with a unique capital light clinical model, provides an update on the strengthening of its intellectual property (IP) position around POLB 001, a small molecule immunomodulator for the treatment of severe influenza.
The US Patent and Trademarks Office, after reviewing a patent application that is directed to the use of POLB 001 and its homologues for the treatment of hypercytokinemia (or “cytokine storm”), has indicated to the Company that the main claim is allowable. Poolbeg anticipates receiving a formal patent grant in due course and has filed a continuing application to seek protection for additional claims around this indication.
Poolbeg has a worldwide license for POLB 001 for all uses in humans and is developing a strong IP portfolio with patent protections in place covering the use of the class of p38 MAP kinase (mitogen-activated protein kinase) inhibitors for the treatment or prevention of severe influenza and hypercytokinaemia. The Company is exploring the opportunity to expand its IP around this asset to cover new disease areas which could enhance the value of the asset for partnering purposes.
US and European patents have already been granted with claims to the treatment of severe influenza, which is characterised by symptoms that persist or recur for more than two days without signs of resolution, with a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory mediators from endothelial cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines from immune cells. These granted patents offer protection until at least 2037.
Assessment of applications filed in other territories is ongoing.
Jeremy Skillington, PhD, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma said:
“We are continuing to expand our global patent protection for our growing pipeline of infectious disease products. We are delighted to receive confirmation from the US Patent and Trademarks office that the main claim is allowable, and we look forward to updating the market when we receive the formal patent grant in due course. Enhanced IP protection of our assets across key markets, such as the US, increases the overall value of these products to potential partners. This is particularly important as we move closer to the completion of our POLB 001 LPS human challenge trial, with initial results expected by year end 2022.”
– Ends –
Enquiries
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Poolbeg Pharma Plc Jeremy Skillington, CEO Ian O’Connell, CFO
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+44 (0) 20 7183 1499 |
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finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker) Geoff Nash, James Thompson, Charlie Beeson, Sunila de Silva (ECM), Nigel Birks
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+44 (0) 20 7220 0500 |
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Singer Capital Markets (Joint Broker) Phil Davies, Sam Butcher
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+44 (0) 20 7496 3000 |
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J&E Davy (Joint Broker) Anthony Farrell, Niall Gilchrist
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+353 (0) 1 679 6363 |
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Instinctif Partners Melanie Toyne Sewell, Rozi Morris, Tim Field
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+44 (0) 20 7457 2020
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About Poolbeg Pharma
Poolbeg Pharma is a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company, with a unique capital light clinical model which aims to develop multiple products faster and more cost effectively than the conventional biotech model. The Company, headquartered in London, is led by a team with a track record of creation and delivery of shareholder value and aspires to become a “one-stop shop” for pharma and biotech seeking mid-stage products to license or acquire.
The Company is targeting the growing infectious disease market. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease has become one of the fastest growing pharma markets and is expected to exceed $250bn by 2025.
With its initial assets from Open Orphan plc, an industry leading infectious disease and human challenge trials business, Poolbeg has access to knowledge, experience, and clinical data from over 20 years of human challenge trials. The Company is using these insights to acquire new assets as well as reposition clinical stage products, reducing spend and risk. Amongst its portfolio of exciting assets, Poolbeg has a small molecule immunomodulator for severe influenza (POLB 001) which has commenced its LPS human challenge trial with initial results expected by year end 2022; a first-in-class, intranasally administered RNA-based immunotherapy for respiratory virus infections (POLB 002); and a vaccine candidate for Melioidosis (POLB 003). The Company is also developing an oral vaccine delivery platform and is progressing two artificial intelligence (AI) programmes to accelerate the power of its human challenge model data and biobank, with results from the first programme expected by year end 2022.
For more information, please go to www.poolbegpharma.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn @PoolbegPharma.
Poolbeg Pharma #POLB licence of Melioidosis vaccine candidate
Poolbeg Pharma (AIM: POLB, OTCQB: POLBF, ‘Poolbeg’ or the ‘Company’), a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company with a unique capital light clinical model, announces that further to the Option Agreement announced in December 2021, Poolbeg has signed an exclusive Licence Agreement with University College Dublin (UCD) through NovaUCD, the University’s knowledge transfer office, for a late preclinical stage vaccine candidate for Melioidosis, a disease for which there is no current approved vaccine available.
The vaccine candidate, which is being developed by Poolbeg as POLB 003, was invented following many years of research by Associate Professor Siobhán McClean, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, and was a recipient of a Wellcome Trust Award to aid its development.
Associate Professor McClean completed some of the original research to identify the antigens associated with the Melioidosis vaccine candidate at TU Dublin.
Melioidosis, also known as Whitmore’s disease, is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, Poolbeg identified the disease as an infectious disease of interest because of its rising incidence around the world due to climate change and its resistance to antibiotic treatment. As a US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designated biothreat, there is an increasing global need to develop effective vaccines and antibiotics to prevent and treat this disease.
As part of the Company’s Option Agreement with UCD, Poolbeg continues to evaluate five other potential vaccine candidates being developed by Associate Professor McClean and her team. This includes Escherichia coli (O157); a powerful toxin that can severely harm children and elderly and leave lasting kidney damage and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; a highly antibiotic resistant bacteria which is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis. As well as Klebsiella pneumoniae which is a prevalent issue in US Defence and healthcare settings resulting in burdensome management of complications, Burkholderia cepacia complex; a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections with large impact on health budgets and Acinetobacter baumannii which poses a threat to immuno- compromised patients in care settings such as cystic fibrosis patients.
Jeremy Skillington, PhD, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma said: “Melioidosis presents a growing threat to global health as an infectious disease with no approved vaccine and a high mortality rate. POLB 003 is being developed in line with our capital light approach and represents a significant opportunity for Poolbeg. Combined with the Company’s expertise in infectious diseases it provides the perfect combination to contribute to the global response to this unmet-medical need and potential to generate significant returns for our investors.”
Siobhán McClean, PhD, Associate Professor, UCD and inventor of MelioVac, said: “This partnership with Poolbeg will enable the further development of this important vaccine candidate. We are pleased to be bringing our technology, and Poolbeg’s vaccine development expertise and industry network together to fight this growing infectious disease.”
– Ends –
Enquiries
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Poolbeg Pharma Plc Jeremy Skillington, CEO Ian O’Connell, CFO
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+44 (0) 20 7183 1499 |
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finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker) Geoff Nash, James Thompson, Charlie Beeson, Sunila de Silva (ECM), Nigel Birks
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+44 (0) 20 7220 0500 |
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Singer Capital Markets (Joint Broker) Phil Davies, Sam Butcher
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+44 (0) 20 7496 3000 |
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J&E Davy (Joint Broker) Anthony Farrell, Niall Gilchrist
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+353 (0) 1 679 6363 |
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Instinctif Partners Melanie Toyne Sewell, Rozi Morris, Tim Field |
44 (0) 20 7457 2020 |
Notes to Editors
About Melioidosis
Caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, commonly found in the soil and surface groundwater of many tropical and subtropical regions, Melioidosis causes a diverse range of symptoms including pneumonia and severe sepsis with multiple organ abscesses. There are an estimated 165,000 cases of Melioidosis each year, of which as many as 89,000 (54%) are estimated to be fatal. It is widespread in South-East Asia, Northern Australia and India, but the warming climate is having a substantial impact on the spread of the disease to new areas such as Brazil and traditionally non-tropical areas. As a US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designated biothreat, there is an increasing global need to develop effective vaccines and antibiotics to prevent and treat this disease.
About POLB 003
Through an extensive characterisation of the protein structures present on the bacteria’s surface, the team at University College Dublin identified a homologue of the common OmpW bacterial antigen specific to this strain, called BpOmpW. Preclinical studies using this antigen showed significant survival benefit when challenged with the Burkholderia pseudomallei, the bacteria which causes Melioidosis. Similarly, so-called correlates of protection, which provide an indication of the protection status of a subject, were much improved including increased IFN-γ production and an enhanced T-Cell response profile, both of which have a proven role in protection against Melioidosis.
About Poolbeg Pharma
Poolbeg Pharma is a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company, with a unique capital light clinical model which aims to develop multiple products faster and more cost effectively than the conventional biotech model. The Company, headquartered in London, is led by a team with a track record of creation and delivery of shareholder value and aspires to become a “one-stop shop” for pharma and biotech seeking mid-stage products to license or acquire.
The Company is targeting the growing infectious disease market. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease has become one of the fastest growing pharma markets and is expected to exceed $250bn by 2025.
With its initial assets from Open Orphan plc, an industry leading infectious disease and human challenge trials business, Poolbeg has access to knowledge, experience, and clinical data from over 20 years of human challenge trials. The Company is using these insights to acquire new assets as well as reposition clinical stage products, reducing spend and risk. Amongst its portfolio of exciting assets, Poolbeg has a small molecule immunomodulator for severe influenza (POLB 001) which has commenced its LPS human challenge trial with initial results expected by year end 2022; a first-in-class, intranasally administered RNA-based immunotherapy for respiratory virus infections (POLB 002); and a vaccine candidate for Melioidosis (POLB 003). The Company is also developing an oral vaccine delivery platform and is progressing two artificial intelligence (AI) programmes to accelerate the power of its human challenge model data and biobank, with results from the first programme expected by year end 2022.
For more information, please go to www.poolbegpharma.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn @PoolbegPharma.
About University College Dublin
UCD is Ireland’s largest and most diverse university and one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities. Since 1854 UCD has made a unique contribution to the creation of modern Ireland, based on successful engagement with Irish society on every level and across every sphere of activity. As Ireland’s leading university in innovation, knowledge transfer and commercialisation, UCD’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship recognises the importance of active participation and collaboration to exploit leading-edge research and development outputs. As set-out in Rising to the Future 2020-2024 UCD’s four strategic theme are; creating a sustainable global society, transforming through digital technology, building a healthy world, and empowering humanity.
For further information, visit www.ucd.ie
Poolbeg Pharma #POLB – Interim results for the six months to 30 June 2022
Poolbeg Pharma (AIM: POLB, OTCQB: POLBF, ‘Poolbeg’ or the ‘Company’), a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company with a unique capital light clinical model, announces its unaudited interim results for the six months to 30 June 2022.
Financial & Operational Highlights
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Well capitalised with a strong cash balance of £18.9m as at 30 June 2022 |
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Significant progress made on developing POLB 001, a treatment for severe influenza |
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LPS human challenge trial commenced in July 2022 with initial results expected by year end 2022 |
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Supply Agreement signed and GMP manufacturing completed |
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Key US patent granted in May 2022 |
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Continuing to explore further disease indications beyond severe influenza |
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Two AI programmes commenced to analyse Poolbeg’s unique human challenge trial data |
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Agreement signed with OneThree Biotech Inc. in February 2022 to identify new drug targets and treatments for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). The programme is progressing well with the model build and optimisation completed in June 2022, with results expected by the end of 2022 |
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In March 2022 an agreement was signed with CytoReason Ltd. to identify novel drug targets for influenza. Data analysis is ongoing, and results are expected in Q2 2023 |
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Licensed first-in-class broad spectrum RNA-based immunotherapy (POLB 002) for respiratory virus infections from the University of Warwick in January 2022 |
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Key European and US patents granted in April and May 2022 respectively |
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Diligence completed on POLB 003, an intramuscular vaccine candidate to prevent Melioidosis from University College Dublin. Definitive license agreement being finalised following exclusive option agreement (signed in December 2021) |
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Licensed AnaBio Technologies’ micro- and nanoencapsulation technology to develop oral vaccines in January 2022 |
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Investor presentation
Jeremy Skillington, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, will provide a live presentation via the Investor Meet Company platform on 6 September 2022 at 6:00pm.
The presentation is open to all existing and potential shareholders. Investors can sign up to Investor Meet Company for free and add to meet Poolbeg Pharma plc here. The presentation and recording will be available on the Company’s website after the event here.
Jeremy Skillington, PhD, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma said: “I am pleased with the progress that the team has made to advance and expand our portfolio of products and platforms, and we intend to build on and accelerate this rate of progress in the remainder of 2022 and beyond.
“Poolbeg is entering a very exciting phase in its development with a number of near-term value inflection points expected before year end. This includes the initial results from our LPS human challenge trial for our severe influenza treatment, POLB 001, after which we will seek to out-licence to pharma and biotech companies, generating revenues from upfront payment and downstream milestones and royalties. In addition, the outputs from our RSV and influenza Artificial Intelligence Programmes are expected by the end of 2022 and in Q2 2023 respectively.
“We have strong financial resources available to progress our products and platforms and also to capitalise on new opportunities as we identify them which, in addition to our upcoming value inflection points, gives me confidence that we can generate strong returns for shareholders.”
– Ends –
Enquiries
|
Poolbeg Pharma Plc Jeremy Skillington, CEO Ian O’Connell, CFO
|
+44 (0) 20 7183 1499 |
|
finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker) Geoff Nash, James Thompson, Charlie Beeson, Richard Chambers, Sunila de Silva (ECM), Nigel Birks
|
+44 (0) 20 7220 0500 |
|
Singer Capital Markets (Joint Broker) Phil Davies, Sam Butcher
|
+44 (0) 20 7496 3000
|
|
J&E Davy (Joint Broker) Anthony Farrell, Niall Gilchrist
|
+353 (0) 1 679 6363 |
|
Instinctif Partners Melanie Toyne Sewell, Rozi Morris, Tim Field
|
+44 (0) 20 7457 2020
|
About Poolbeg Pharma
Poolbeg Pharma is a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company, with a unique capital light clinical model which aims to develop multiple products faster and more cost effectively than the conventional biotech model. The Company, headquartered in London, is led by a team with a track record of creation and delivery of shareholder value and aspires to become a “one-stop shop” for pharma and biotech seeking mid-stage products to license or acquire.
The Company is targeting the growing infectious disease market. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease has become one of the fastest growing pharma markets and is expected to exceed $250bn by 2025.
With its initial assets from Open Orphan plc, an industry leading infectious disease and human challenge trials business, Poolbeg has access to knowledge, experience, and clinical data from over 20 years of human challenge trials. The Company is using these insights to acquire new assets as well as reposition clinical stage products, reducing spend and risk. Amongst its portfolio of exciting assets, Poolbeg has a small molecule immunomodulator for severe influenza (POLB 001) which has commenced its LPS human challenge trial with initial results expected by year end 2022; a first-in-class, intranasally administered RNA-based immunotherapy for respiratory virus infections (POLB 002); and a vaccine candidate for Melioidosis (POLB 003). The Company is also developing an oral vaccine delivery platform and is progressing two artificial intelligence (AI) programmes to accelerate the power of its human challenge model data and biobank, with results from the first programme expected by year end 2022.
For more information, please go to www.poolbegpharma.com or follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn @PoolbegPharma.
Link here to view the full results and financial statements
A landmark year for Poolbeg Pharma #POLB – Alan Green talks to CEO Jeremy Skillington
A landmark year for Poolbeg Pharma #POLB – Alan Green talks to CEO Jeremy Skillington, who takes us through what has been a very eventful year since the IPO. At 01:58 we discuss the flagship asset POLB 001, which reached a major milestone last week as it commenced a human challenge trial. At 05:00 Jeremy provides an overview of two collaborations in Artificial Intelligence and how Poolbeg will use these pioneering approaches to identify new treatments for infectious diseases. At 08:57 Jeremy outlines what investors should expect for the remainder of 2022.