ENA Respiratory, a Melbourne-based company, has secured a substantial $2.98 million in funding from Biointelect Venturer to advance its innovative antiviral nasal spray, INNA-051, in a groundbreaking study targeting adults with asthma. This funding marks a significant milestone for the company, as it aims to revolutionize the way respiratory viruses are tackled, particularly for those at higher risk of complications.
The primary focus of this study, known as ENA-A-04, is to assess the safety, tolerability, and biological activity of INNA-051 in individuals with asthma. The trial, set to commence in the first quarter of 2027, is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, a rigorous approach to ensure the treatment's efficacy and safety.
INNA-051 is a dry-powder nasal spray designed to act at the initial point of entry for many respiratory viruses, the nasal passages. Unlike traditional treatments that target specific viruses, this spray aims to strengthen the body's innate antiviral defenses, potentially enabling a faster immune response to infections like influenza, RSV, rhinovirus, and coronaviruses.
This approach is particularly crucial for individuals with chronic respiratory conditions, including asthma, where viral infections can trigger severe symptoms, airway inflammation, and potentially life-threatening exacerbations. Asthma patients often experience delayed innate antiviral responses, allowing viruses to spread deeper into the respiratory tract, intensifying inflammation and symptom deterioration.
ENA's CEO, Christophe Demaison, expressed enthusiasm about the funding, emphasizing its impact on patient care. "We are proud to have received this grant from Biointelect Venturer," he said. "It will enable us to expand our clinical program in a high-risk patient population. Patients with asthma are at significant risk of complications from respiratory infections, and this study will provide valuable insights for future development in this group and other at-risk populations."
Preclinical and safety pharmacology studies suggest that INNA-051 is unlikely to exacerbate asthma symptoms. In laboratory tests involving bronchial epithelial cells from individuals with moderate-to-severe asthma, the spray demonstrated the potential to restore antiviral responses and reduce rhinovirus load, offering a glimmer of hope for asthma management.
Simultaneously, ENA Respiratory is conducting a Phase 2a community study in the United States, known as the POSITS study. This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of once-weekly INNA-051 treatment over three months in reducing the incidence, duration, and severity of symptomatic respiratory infections among young adults in crowded environments.
The POSITS study, which completed its initial stage in May 2026, is set to continue with the next phase during the upcoming North American respiratory virus season. This dual-pronged approach to clinical trials highlights ENA Respiratory's commitment to comprehensive research and its potential to transform respiratory health management.
