BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:BCRX) said results from a preclinical study of its broad spectrum antiviral BCX4430 in immune-deficient mice infected with Zika virus, showed superior results compared to both the placebo and the antiviral drug ribavirin.
The primary goal of the study was to assess the effect of BCX4430 treatment on survival through day 28 in immune-deficient mice infected with the Zika virus.
Overall survival for the standard dose level of BCX4430 was superior to both the placebo and the ribavirin treatment control groups.
BCX4430 is a broad spectrum antiviral that is being tested in a Phase 1 clinical safety and pharmacology study in healthy subjects. BCX4430 has demonstrated survival benefits in nonclinical studies against a variety of serious pathogens, including Ebola, Marburg, and Yellow Fever viruses.
Since September 2013, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health., has supported BioCryst in developing BCX4430 as a therapeutic for Ebola and Marburg viruses.a therapeutic for Ebola and Marburg viruses .
In March 2015, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) awarded BioCryst a contract, HHSO100201500007C, for up to an additional $35 million.
BioCryst shares traded at $3.09, up almost 20 peercent in midmorning trading Monday.
