EXCLUSIVE: SAB Biotherapeutics' Influenza Immunotherapy Shows Safety, Efficacy In Early-Stage Trials

SAB Biotherapeutics Inc SABS has announced the presentation of safety and efficacy data from Phase 1 and 2a trials of its influenza immunotherapy, SAB-176.

It has recently received FDA Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track Designations.

What Happened: The data was presented at the AVG conference hosted by the International Society for Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Diseases (ISIRV).

SAB-176 is a fully human, broadly neutralizing immunoglobulin antibody therapeutic designed to prevent or reduce severe outcomes of Type A and Type B influenza infection in patients at high risk for severe complications, including in patients who are immunocompromised. 

Results: In a Phase 2a challenge clinical trial, healthy adults (n=60) were given a 25 mg/kg dose of SAB-176 or placebo after being inoculated with H1N1. 

Results showed that SAB-176 was safe, well-tolerated, and demonstrated a significant reduction in viral load compared to placebo and symptom reduction.

A preclinical study in mice indicated that the combination of low doses of SAB-176 and oseltamivir (Tamiflu) protected against a lethal dose of H1N1 comparable to a high dose of oseltamivir alone.

Tamiflu is an antiviral medication from Genentech, a Roche Holdings AG RHHBY company.

Price Action: SABS shares closed at $0.87 on Wednesday.