NexBio Completes First-in-Man Clinical Trial With DAS181 (Fludase(R)) and Strengthens Clinical ...( SAN DIEGO Jan. 19 /- NexBio announces...),Health

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- NexBio announces the completion of its First-In-Man clinical trial of DAS181 (Fludase(R)), an investigational drug candidate for influenza. The single-dose, escalating Phase I study completed in December 2008 was designed to assess DAS181 safety in healthy subjects. The study drug was well tolerated at all dose levels. DAS181 is a novel broad-spectrum drug candidate for prophylaxis and treatment of respiratory infections by all variations of influenza virus, including the types of the virus that may cause a potential influenza pandemic. In addition, DAS181 also has the potential for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza-like illness due to other respiratory viruses, including the parainfluenza virus which may cause serious respiratory illness similar to influenza for which there is no approved vaccine or therapeutic. The DAS181 development program is funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.

DAS181, a recombinant fusion protein, inactivates viral receptors on the cells of the human respiratory tract, thereby preventing influenza and parainfluenza viruses from infecting the human body or from amplifying in infected individuals. DAS181 effectively inhibits numerous strains of influenza and parainfluenza virus in cell culture and in animal models. Unlike current antiviral compounds and vaccines, DAS181 targets human host receptors, not virus components, and thus carries a reduced risk of drug resistance compared with the currently available antiviral drugs. Extensive, prolonged nonclinical studies have not shown the development of any meaningful resistance.

To strengthen DAS181 clinical development, NexBio announces the hiring of Ronald B. Moss, M.D., as NexBio's Executive Vice President of Clinical Development & Medical Affairs. Dr. Moss brings 22 years of research and clinical experience, including 15 y
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