Positive Data on RECCE® 327 Against Influenza A Respiratory Virus Infection

Highlights:

• Dramatic reduction in viral load in the lungs of mice treated with RECCE® 327 as compared to the approved antiviral drug treated and vehicle control untreated groups
• RECCE 327’s unique mechanism of action reinforces efficacy against both bacterial cells and enveloped viruses

Sydney Australia, 20 April 2020: Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: RCE), the company developing a new class of broad-spectrum synthetic antibiotics, today announced positive efficacy data showing significant in vivo anti-viral activity against the Influenza A virus in mice treated with its lead compound RECCE® 327.

Data showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in the viral growth rate and viral load in lungs of mice infected with Influenza A following treatment with RECCE® 327 compared to the vehicle control group, and group treated with an approved antiviral drug Ribavirin, also know as tribavirin.

The study was conducted by an independent Contract Research Organisation to assess the dose-dependent efficacy of RECCE® 327 and in vivo anti-viral activity against Influenza A, a respiratory lung infection, in mice. RECCE® 327 treatment groups were dosed twice-daily for 5 days and the Ribavirin treatment group was dosed once daily for 5 days (optimised dosing for latter). Viral pathogenesis in the mice was evaluated by body weight loss, survival and viral load in lungs.

The results demonstrated RECCE® 327 showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in viral load in the lungs compared to the vehicle control and Ribavirin – a drug that decreases relapse rates by accelerating viral clearance early in the treatment course1.

Four (4) groups of 12 mice infected with Influenza A showed those treated with RECCE® 327 fared better in almost all instances than those who received the Ribavirin treatment, an approved antiviral drug, or vehicle control group. RECCE® 327 continued to show efficacy at different dose levels with significant reduction in viral count in the lungs when compared with the vehicle control. As dosage increased from 500mg/kg to 1,000mg/kg, the viral count fell below the limit of quantitation (BLOQ) on Days 4 and 6 post-infection.

Influenza A viruses are enveloped viruses and causative agents of respiratory disease. The genome of the Influenza A viruses comprises single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules – similar to that of coronaviruses, where the genome also comprises single-stranded RNA. Michele Dilizia, Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs, said: “These data reinforce RECCE® 327’s unique, universal Mechanism of Action, seen against bacterial cells and further now, viral particles. The universal Mechanism of Action sees continued potency against mutating bacterial cells, and it is exciting to see the potential here as well, against viral particles, which are also notorious for their mutation.”

Dr John Prendergast, Non-Executive Chairman said: “The increasing potential to be effective against not only a broad range of superbug bacteria, but viral pathogens as well, reinforces the company’s expanding infectious disease capabilities and global positioning”.

About Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: RCE)

Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: RCE) is pioneering the development and commercialisation of a new class of synthetic antibiotics with broad-spectrum activity designed to address the urgent global health problem of antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

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