NEWTOWN, PA — Traws Pharma (Nasdaq: TRAW) plans to advance antiviral drug candidates targeting hantavirus infections as the company seeks to expand its respiratory virus pipeline amid renewed concerns over outbreaks linked to severe and often fatal pulmonary disease.
The clinical-stage biotechnology company announced it is evaluating existing antiviral compounds for potential use against hantavirus, a rodent-borne negative-strand RNA virus associated with fatality rates ranging from 30% to 50% in human infections. The announcement follows recent reports of cruise ship-related illnesses and deaths tied to hantavirus exposure, according to the company.
Traws stated that several of its existing small-molecule antiviral assets have already demonstrated activity against negative-strand RNA viruses, a category that includes influenza, H5N1 bird flu and hantaviruses. The company plans to assess whether those compounds can be adapted for hantavirus treatment either alone or in combination therapies.
Chief Scientific Officer C. David Pauza stated that Traws intends to use its existing antiviral development infrastructure and proprietary chemical libraries to identify candidates for rapid advancement.
“Using our large collection of clinical and non-clinical antiviral drug assets, Traws plans to rapidly advance clinical candidates for the treatment and prevention of Hantavirus disease,” Pauza stated.
The company noted there are currently no approved treatments for Hantaan pulmonary disease, a severe form of hantavirus infection that can lead to respiratory failure.
Chief Medical Officer Robert R. Redfield, the former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, framed the initiative as both a public health and preparedness effort.
“The ongoing outbreak, along with frequent resurgence of these viruses in the Southwest United States, South America, Asia and other regions, encourages an emergency program to develop life-saving treatments,” Redfield stated.
Traws did not disclose a timeline for selecting lead hantavirus candidates or initiating clinical trials.
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