Tonix Pharmaceuticals Announces AI Collaboration with X-Chem to Develop Broad-Spectrum Antivirals
08 October 2024 - 11:30PM
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: TNXP) (Tonix or the
Company), a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical company with
marketed products and a pipeline of development candidates, today
announced that it has entered into an AI and ML research
collaboration with X-Chem, Inc. (X-Chem), a leader in small
molecule drug discovery, to accelerate development of Tonix’s oral
broad-spectrum antivirals.
Tonix’s TNX-4200 antiviral program focuses on
the development of oral CD45 phosphatase inhibitors, with
broad-spectrum activity against a range of viral families. As
previously disclosed, Tonix entered into a contract with the U.S.
Department of Defense’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) for
up to $34 million to advance the development of Tonix’s TNX-4200
broad-spectrum oral antiviral program for medical countermeasures,
including an Investigational New Drug (IND) submission and a
first-in-human Phase 1 clinical study.
“We are excited to enter into this research
collaboration with X-Chem, which we believe will expand our
capabilities, and deepen our understanding of host-targeted small
molecule therapeutics for a variety of targets,” said Seth
Lederman, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Tonix Pharmaceuticals.
“With the support of X-Chem’s drug discovery AI/ML technology, we
expect to optimize the physicochemical properties,
pharmacokinetics, and safety attributes of our drug
candidates.”
"We are excited to partner with Tonix in their
pursuit of such important programs in human health, at the
intersection of laboratory and in silico technology. This
collaboration highlights how integrative work continues to leverage
the creation of target-specific high-quality data to drive AI drug
discovery,” said Erin Davis, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer of
X-Chem.”
The DTRA contract awarded to Tonix is expected
to help fund and accelerate the development of the Company’s lead
oral host-directed TNX-4200 broad-spectrum antiviral program. The
TNX-4200 program aims to reduce viral load and to allow the
adaptive immune system to alert the other arms of the immune system
to mount a protective response. Tonix plans to leverage previous
research on phosphatase inhibitors to optimize lead compounds for
therapeutic intervention of biothreat agents.
For the oral broad-spectrum antiviral programs,
including TNX-4200, Tonix is utilizing its state-of-the-art
research laboratory capabilities, including a Biosafety Level 3
(BSL-3) lab and an Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL-3) facility at
its research and development center (RDC) located in Frederick,
Md., as well as experienced personnel in-house. The RDC is located
in Maryland’s ‘I-270 biotech corridor’ and is close to the center
of the U.S. biodefense research community.
About X-Chem, Inc.
X-Chem, Inc. is a leader in small molecule drug
discovery services for pharmaceutical and biotech companies. As
pioneers of DNA-encoded chemical library (DEL) technology and its
integration with proprietary AI technology and computational
sciences, X-Chem can accelerate all steps in the discovery process.
The company leverages its unique AI/ML approach, market-leading DEL
platform, and computationally-driven medicinal chemistry expertise
to discover novel small molecule leads against challenging,
high-value therapeutic targets. Integrated with X-Chem’s extensive
chemistry and computational technologies, project teams can deliver
clinical candidates with unmatched speed. X-Chem also provides
libraries, reagents, and informatic tools to allow DEL operators to
get the most of their DEL platform. X-Chem empowers its partners to
effectively build drug pipelines from target to clinical candidate,
enhanced with AI and extensive data packages.
Further information about X-Chem can be found at
www.x-chemrx.com.
Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding
Corp.*
Tonix is a fully-integrated biopharmaceutical
company focused on developing, licensing and commercializing
therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease and alleviate
suffering. Tonix’s priority is to submit a New Drug Application
(NDA) to the FDA in October of 2024 for TNX-102 SL, a product
candidate for which two statistically significant Phase 3 studies
have been completed for the management of fibromyalgia. TNX-102 SL
was generally well tolerated in the Phase 3 program. The FDA has
granted Fast Track designation to TNX-102 SL for the management of
fibromyalgia. TNX-102 SL is also being developed to treat acute
stress reaction. Tonix recently announced the U.S. Department of
Defense (DoD), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) awarded it a
contract for up to $34 million over five years to develop TNX-4200
small molecule broad-spectrum antiviral agents targeting CD45 for
the prevention or treatment of infections to improve the medical
readiness of military personnel in biological threat environments.
Tonix owns and operates a state-of-the art infectious disease
research facility in Frederick, MD. The company’s Good
Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-capable advanced manufacturing
facility in Dartmouth, MA was purpose-built to manufacture TNX-801
and the GMP suites are ready to be reactivated in case of a
national or international emergency. Tonix’s development portfolio
is focused on central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Tonix’s CNS
portfolio includes TNX-1300 (cocaine esterase), a biologic in Phase
2 development designed to treat cocaine intoxication that has
Breakthrough Therapy designation. Tonix’s immunology development
portfolio consists of biologics to address organ transplant
rejection, autoimmunity and cancer, including TNX-1500, which is a
humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CD40-ligand (CD40L or
CD154) being developed for the prevention of allograft rejection
and for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Tonix also has
product candidates in development in the areas of rare disease and
infectious disease. Tonix Medicines, our commercial subsidiary,
markets Zembrace® SymTouch® (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and
Tosymra® (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg for the treatment of acute
migraine with or without aura in adults.
* Tonix’s product development candidates are
investigational new drugs or biologics; their efficacy and safety
have not been established and have not been approved for any
indication.
Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are registered
trademarks of Tonix Medicines. All other marks are property of
their respective owners.
This press release and further information about
Tonix can be found at www.tonixpharma.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are
forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified
by the use of forward-looking words such as “anticipate,”
“believe,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “expect,” and “intend,” among
others. These forward-looking statements are based on Tonix's
current expectations and actual results could differ materially.
There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to
differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking
statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks
related to the failure to obtain FDA clearances or approvals and
noncompliance with FDA regulations; risks related to the failure to
successfully market any of our products; risks related to the
timing and progress of clinical development of our product
candidates; our need for additional financing; uncertainties of
patent protection and litigation; uncertainties of government or
third party payor reimbursement; limited research and development
efforts and dependence upon third parties; and substantial
competition. As with any pharmaceutical under development, there
are significant risks in the development, regulatory approval and
commercialization of new products. Tonix does not undertake an
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.
Investors should read the risk factors set forth in the Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 1,
2024, and periodic reports filed with the SEC on or after the date
thereof. All of Tonix's forward-looking statements are expressly
qualified by all such risk factors and other cautionary statements.
The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date
thereof.
Investor Contact
Jessica MorrisTonix
Pharmaceuticalsinvestor.relations@tonixpharma.com (862)
904-8182
Peter VozzoICR Westwickepeter.vozzo@westwicke.com (443)
213-0505
Media Contact
Ray JordanPutnam Insightsray@putnaminsights.com (949)
245-5432
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