Preventing asthma exacerbations by reducing viral respiratory infections

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): An estimated 300 million people worldwide are affected by asthma, causing up to 250,000 deaths per year1,2. Asthma is a personal and public, health and economic burden even in developed countries, where nearly 10% of the population loses substantial time away from work and school. The principal cause of asthma exacerbations, responsible for more than 70%3, is viral respiratory infections. Pulmotect is developing a novel technology to prevent respiratory infections. The lead drug (PUL-042) is a combination of two TLR ligands that stimulates the lungs own innate defense mechanisms, creating a hostile environment for pathogens that can prevent or attenuate respiratory infections. This technology has been validated by both invitro and in vivo experiments and the drug is already progressing in the regulatory process as a treatment to benefit cancer patients during periods of immunocompromise. In the current proposal, we present plans to accomplish milestones that will adv