Immune System Boosting Drug Against Lung Infections Shows Promise

The lungs are one of the most susceptible channels through which a person can acquire and transmit disease-causing microorganisms. While the lungs are normally equipped with their own innate defense mechanisms, lungs that are immunocompromised are vulnerable to harmful pathogens, which can render them inefficient or damaged. To address this problem, a Houston-based company has formulated an inhalation product that can strengthen lung defenses.

Houston-based clinical stage biotechnology company Pulmotect, Inc. recently announced the completion of a Phase I clinical trial for their leading pipeline product, indicated for the prevention and treatment of respiratory infections. PUL-042 has just received the tail-end portion of a Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas grant worth $3.5 million. Additionally, the company has secured a patent for the product, and is now ready to proceed to the next stages towards filing for product approval.

See Pulmotect Inc.’s video below to learn more about how PUL-042 can help healthcare providers and the general population combat today’s respiratory tract infections (RTIs):

The previously completed study tested PUL-042’s safety and patient tolerance in healthy individuals, which showed promising results at and above the administered doses. The company’s researchers are planning to conduct a follow up dosing study to establish the drug’s efficacy in cancer patients who are immunocompromised from receiving cancer treatments.

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Dr. Brenton Scott, Pulmotect’s President, said that PUL-042 will benefit a great number of patients who are prone to and compoundly affected by respiratory infections. This includes cancer patients, asthmatics, patients with immunocompromising disorders, the elderly, and even the general public. Through CPRIT’s generous funding, this revolutionary product can only be improved and be proven effective for use in other diseases. These future goals are supported by a recent $1 million Small Business Innovative Research grant for a Phase II study on PUL-042’s potential to prevent asthma attacks from RTIs, and another SBIR grant worth $250,000 to focus on influenza.

While PUL-042’s primary indication is to prevent and treat opportunistic RTIs in immunocompromised patients, the company is also looking into its use in biodefense, in the event of an air- or droplet-borne disease’s outbreak such as anthrax, SARS, tuberculosis, Ebola, and even the common flu. Research on use in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is also underway.

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