LXRP - Lexaria's Antiviral Drug Evaluation Program Progressing
(TheNewswire)
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- Two of the four planned studiesprogressing to examine DehydraTECH™ with antiviralstargeting SARS-CoV-2 /COVID-19
Kelowna, British Columbia - TheNewswire - March 16, 2021 –Lexaria Bioscience Corp. (Nasdaq:LEXX)(Nasdaq:LEXXW) (C NSX :LXX. CN ) (OTC:LXRP) (the “Company” or“Lexaria”), a global innovator in drug delivery platforms,announces extensive progress in two of the four planned antiviraldrug studies in its 2021 applied research and development (R&D)program.
“It’s been a very productive start into 2021 with atotal of seven studies across our various research programs currentlyunderway,” commented Chris Bunka, CEO of Lexaria. “Lexaria’sapplied R&D programs are vital to generate the supportive datarequired to pursue either regulatory approvals or corporaterelationships necessary for commercial launch. We expect great successthis year and are eager to report study results as they becomeavailable.”
DehydraTECH with Antivirals forCOVID-19.
Two of the four planned studies usingDehydraTECH TM with antivirals as previously described in Lexaria’s announcements on December 22, 2020 andFebruary 1, 2021 are progressing, comprised ofone SARS-CoV-2 infected human cell culture study (VIRAL-C21-3) and oneanimal research pharmacokinetic study (VIRAL-A20-2). The drugs beingstudied in Lexaria’s 2021 antiviral program not only targetSARS-CoV-2 / COVID 19 applications, but also have existing utilityacross additional infectious disease, allergic and other diseaseindications. Details on the other two planned antiviral studies willbe provided when available.
VIRAL-A20-2 :Dosing of the animals has begun and is scheduled to be completed bylate March. This study is evaluating the rate of absorption and speed(pharmacokinetics or “PK” assessments) with which various newenhanced DehydraTECH TM experimental formulations –“DehydraTECH 2.0” – deliver the drugs being studied to thebloodstream. There are a total of 40 animals in this study which willevaluate the PK performance of DehydraTECH-processed Remdesivir andanother antiviral drug known to target the mainprotease associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection for 48 hours following dosing. Enhanced DehydraTECH 2.0 formulationswill be utilized in this study, which represent next-generation drugdelivery enhancements not yet commercially available anywhere in theworld. The primary objective is to determine whether these drugs,after being processed with DehydraTECH, reach the bloodstream fasterand more effectively. With the first two antiviral drugs Lexariareported on in December 2020, Efavirenz and Darunavir, most commonlyused for HIV/AIDS therapeutic purposes, DehydraTECH was able to significantly increase the quantity of drug reachingthe bloodstream. Results should be reported in or around the secondhalf of May.
VIRAL-C21-3 :All contract agreements are now in place with the third partylaboratory that will be conducting this study, and dosing is nowexpected to commence in April. In this study, to be carried out undercontrolled conditions at a leading U.S. biosafety level 3 (BSL-3)rated infectious disease laboratory, human cell cultures will beexposed to the infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus and then treated with both DehydraTECH processed drugsand non-DehydraTECH processed drugs. Evaluations will determinewhether the DehydraTECH processed drugs are effective at killing thevirus. Remdesivir and another antiviral drug known to target the main protease associated with SARS-CoV-2infection are the two drugs that will beevaluated in this study and results should be reported in or aroundthe first half of June.
All studies referenced within this press release arefully funded from existing Company resources and are being performedby third-party laboratories to ensure study objectivity.
Lexaria Bioscience Corp.’s proprietary drug deliverytechnology, DehydraTECH™, improves the way active pharmaceuticalingredients (APIs) enter the bloodstream by promoting healthier oralingestion methods and increasing the effectiveness of fat-solubleactive molecules, thereby lowering overall dosing. The Company’stechnology can be applied to many different ingestible productformats, including foods, beverages, oral suspensions, tablets, andcapsules. DehydraTECH has repeatedly demonstrated since 2016 withcannabinoids and nicotine the ability to increase bio-absorption by upto 5-10x, reduce time of onset from 1 - 2 hours to minutes, and maskunwanted tastes; and is planned to be further evaluated for orallyadministered bioactive molecules, including anti-virals, cannabinoids,vitamins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), andnicotine. Lexaria has licensed DehydraTECH to multiple companiesincluding a world-leading tobacco producer for the development ofsmokeless, oral-based nicotine products and for use in industries thatproduce cannabinoid beverages, edibles, and oral products. Lexariaoperates a licensed in-house research laboratory and holds a robustintellectual property portfolio with 18 patents granted andapproximately 60 patents pending worldwide. For more information,please visit www.lexariabioscience.com .
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press releaseincludes forward-looking statements. Statements as such term isdefined under applicable securities laws. These statements may beidentified by words such as "anticipate," "if,""believe," "plan," "estimate,""expect," "intend," "may,""could," "should," "will," and othersimilar expressions. Such forward-looking statements in this pressrelease include, but are not limited to, statements by the companyrelating the Company’s ability to carry out research initiatives,receive regulatory approvals or grants or experience positive effectsor results from any research or study. Such forward-looking statementsare estimates reflecting the Company's best judgment based uponcurrent information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties,and there can be no assurance that the Companywill actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosedin these forward-looking statements. As such, you should not placeundue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Factors which could causeactual results to differ materially from those estimated by theCompany include, but are not limited to, government regulation andregulatory approvals, managing and maintaining growth, the effect ofadverse publicity, litigation, competition, scientific discovery, thepatent application and approval process, potential adverse effectsarising from the testing or use of products utilizing the DehydraTECHtechnology, the Company’s ability to maintain existingcollaborations and realize the benefits thereof, delays orcancellations of planned R&D that could occur related to pandemicsor for other reasons, and other factors which may be identified fromtime to time in the Company's public announcements and periodicfilings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR. Thereis no assurance that any of Lexaria’s postulated uses, benefits, oradvantages for the patented and patent-pending technology will in factbe realized in any manner or in any part. No statement herein has beenevaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Lexaria-associated products are not intended to diagnose, treat,cure or prevent any disease. Any forward-looking statements containedin this release speak only as of the date hereof, and the Companyexpressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-lookingstatements contained herein, whether as a result of any newinformation, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, exceptas otherwise required by law.
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