Virpax Pharma Expands AnQlar Worldwide Licensing Pact In COVID-19

Virpax Pharmaceuticals Inc VRPX expanded its exclusive license agreement for AnQlar with Nanomerics Ltd, providing Virpax with the worldwide rights for development and commercialization.

• Virpax has completed in-vitro, ex-vivo (human mucosal cells), and in-vivo (rats) studies on AnQlar, which demonstrated that AnQlar inhibited viral replication of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza in animals at ranges higher than those encountered in human nasal passages. 
• No adverse effects were observed during the studies. 
• Animal studies also demonstrated decreased levels of the virus in animal brain tissue. 
• Virpax anticipates completing Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies by Q4 FY22 and pursuing a nonprescription drug approval pathway.
• AnQlar (GCPQ) is a positively-charged chitosan derivative that binds electrostatically to negatively charged viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. 
• AnQlar can prevent the binding of coronavirus to the cell surface ACE-2 receptor that mediates viral infection. 
• Price Action: VRPX shares are up 5.79% at $2.01 during the market session on the last check Tuesday.