AIM Immunotech reports new analysis of Ampligen as a potential therapy against Ebola virus disease
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- AIM ImmunoTech <<AIM>> announces the publication of a new analysis of the ability of its drug Ampligen (rintatolimod) to inhibit the spread and replication of Ebola virus disease (EVD), which adds to the body of evidence supporting Ampligen’s potential as an early-onset prophylactic therapy against human Ebola outbreaks.
- The data were published in the peer-reviewed journal Antiviral Research.
- The newly published analysis supports a dual mechanism of action when Ampligen is used as a prophylactic therapy against EVD. As a TLR3 agonist, the drug induces and enhances the body’s innate immunological responses to Ebola virus (EBOV) infection.
- Additionally, Ampligen appears to inactivate the EBOV lethal factor (EBOV VP35), which is believed to be responsible, in part, for the high mortality rate observed in humans, by acting as a “competitive decoy.” VP35 is understood to sequester the dsRNA produced by EBOV during its replication, which inhibits the normal innate immune responses to viral infection.
- These analyses provide supporting evidence to help explain Ampligen’s ability to provide protection against EVD in a mouse model at the generally well-tolerated doses frequently used in AIM’s clinical trials.
- Ampligen is not currently approved for the prevention or treatment of EVD.