SAN DIEGO & EDMONTON, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aegis Life, Inc. (Aegis) and its parent company Entos Pharmaceuticals (Entos) announced today that Aegis Life has received a program-related investment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (the “foundation”).
Aegis will receive up to $4.45 million in funding through a convertible promissory note from the foundation’s Strategic Investment Fund for the purpose of developing DNA-based encoded neutralizing antibody therapies for infectious diseases using the Entos Fusogenix PLV platform. This investment follows an initial grant from the foundation to Aegis made in June 2023 to support this collaborative development project with a focus on HIV and malaria. Aegis and Entos will also commit to making any resulting neutralizing antibody therapeutics for these conditions available and accessible to those most in need, including low- and middle-income countries.
“We are thrilled that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, based on promising data from our previous grant-funded work, continues to support this exciting project to develop DNA-encoded antibody therapeutics,” said John Lewis, Ph.D., CEO of Aegis.
HIV and malaria persist globally and result in significant mortality worldwide. “Neutralizing antibodies are promising treatments in the fight against HIV and other serious infectious diseases and work by blocking transmission and reducing disease severity,” said Dr. Steve Chen, Chief Medical Officer at Aegis Life. “The high stability, durability, and potency profile of the PLV technology makes PLV-based DNA-encoded antibodies perfectly suited for deployment in the countries bearing the brunt of these infections. We’re grateful for this latest support, which provides Aegis the opportunity to perform necessary research that could save the lives of those who are most vulnerable.”
Treating viral diseases with neutralizing antibodies is an important defense because these antibodies can block infection when they bind to the virus. This approach has been highly effective when used therapeutically by infusing patients with purified neutralizing antibodies, but it is limited by low durability and high cost. To address this, Aegis and Entos are developing DNA-encoded antibodies using the Fusogenix PLV platform that can be administered through intramuscular injection. This approach enables the patient’s own cells to manufacture and secrete neutralizing antibodies, allowing for high durability at a substantially lower cost. The Fusogenix PLV is fridge-stable and can be manufactured at scale cost-effectively, making it accessible for those living in rural, remote, or infrastructure-poor regions.
About Aegis Life, Inc.
At Aegis Life, we develop next generation genetic vaccines and therapies for the world’s most dangerous infectious diseases. Leveraging the Fusogenix PLV platform for nucleic acid delivery, developed by parent company Entos Pharmaceuticals, this breakthrough non-viral gene delivery platform allows us to rapidly develop and advance safe and effective RNA or DNA vaccines and therapeutics. For more information, visit https://www.aegis.life/.
About Entos Pharmaceuticals Inc.
A new reality in genetic medicine lies ahead, one that will be ushered in with the advent of safe, effective, and re-dosable nucleic acid delivery technologies. Since its inception in 2016, Entos® has been dedicated to advancing next-generation genetic medicines using our proprietary Fusogenix™ PLV™ drug delivery system. The Fusogenix PLV platform is formulated with FAST™ proteins to enable the delivery of nucleic acid to target cells through direct fusion. Entos is pioneering the development of life-changing medicines for patients and has partnered with global companies, such as Eli Lilly, to accelerate and expand the impact of our platform. Entos Pharmaceuticals Inc. is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada, with its wholly owned U.S. and U.K. subsidiaries based in San Diego, California and London, United Kingdom, respectively.
Entos® word mark and design logo, Fusogenix™, PLV™ and FAST™ are registered trademarks of Entos Pharmaceuticals Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For more information, visit www.entospharma.com, or follow Entos on LinkedIn.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include statements regarding Aegis’ belief as to the mode of action and potential and benefits of the Fusogenix proteolipid vehicle platform and the mode of action and potential and benefits of the delivery of DNA-encoded monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of HIV, influenzas, and malaria; and other statements related to anticipated developments in Aegis’ business and technologies. In any forward-looking statement in which Aegis expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectations or beliefs are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the statement or expectation, or belief will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause Aegis’ actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the availability of funds and resources to pursue research and development projects, the efficacy of Fusogenix as a nucleic acid delivery vehicle, the efficacy of DNA-encoded monoclonal antibody therapies, the success and timely completion of preclinical studies, uncertainties related to the research and development of pharmaceuticals, uncertainties related to the regulatory process and general changes to the economic environment. We may incur expenses or delays relating to such events outside of our control, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results, and financial condition. Investors should consult with the U.S. Securities Commission for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable laws.
