Tiziana Life Sciences PLC (LON:TILS NASDAQ:TLSA) is driving forwards at speed with the clinical development plan for its fully-human mAb TZLS-501 COVID-19 treatment, according to Emma Uiker at Proactive Research.
With GMP-grade manufacturing already underway via boutique CRO, STC Biologics, Tiziana has appointed three other CROs to develop and test the handheld nebuliser, to conduct an inhalation safety toxicity study in monkeys, and to initiate a human clinical trial in COVID-19 patients.
Tiziana has also taken an innovative approach to leverage the potential of TZLS-501 to treat COVID-19, to investigate its promise of helping alleviate life-threatening lung inflammation, says Uiker.
“To our knowledge TILS is a pioneer in developing anti-IL6R mAbs for administration via a nebuliser or inhaler direct to the lungs and recently filed a patent on the approach in order to target the main site of inflammation directly.
“To date, trials of anti-IL6R mAbs have as far as we know focused largely on intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous route of administration.
“The inhaler approach can enable patients to be treated quickly and easily, including potentially outside the hospital setting.”