TIDMPOLB
RNS Number : 8311F
Poolbeg Pharma PLC
24 March 2022
Poolbeg Pharma plc
Artificial Intelligence deal signed with CytoReason
First time that AI analysis of human challenge trial data is
used to identify novel drug targets for influenza
Use of AI will help identify more targets, quicker and more cost
effectively than previously possible
24 March 2022 - Poolbeg Pharma (AIM: POLB, 'Poolbeg' or the
'Company'), a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical
company with a unique capital light clinical model, has signed a
deal with CytoReason , a leading artificial intelligence (AI)
company developing computational disease models for efficient drug
discovery and development, to provide AI analysis of Poolbeg's
influenza disease progression data derived from human challenge
study samples.
The partnership will harness the insights of Poolbeg's unique
repository of influenza human challenge trial* data and is another
significant milestone in its strategy to leverage its proprietary
databank to identify new pharmaceutical assets using artificial
intelligence. CytoReason has built world-class validated AI models
which can extrapolate immune cell behaviour based on bulk
transcriptomics, making it an ideal partner to maximise the
insights of Poolbeg's influenza data. To date, five of the world's
top ten pharma companies use CytoReason's technology including
Pfizer, Sanofi, Merck KGaA and Roche. Poolbeg's ability to execute
a deal of this nature with a company of CytoReason's stature is a
testament to the quality of Poolbeg's proprietary databank which
will significantly improve the outputs of the collaboration.
The partnership will bring Poolbeg's unique repository of
clinical samples and associated data from influenza human challenge
trials together with CytoReason's leading and validated AI
technology. This will enable a deep understanding of the mechanism
of influenza infection and recovery and, as a result, help identify
novel drug targets for the disease. Poolbeg's datasets for
influenza are already tailored for incorporation into CytoReason's
platform algorithms. Both CytoReason and the Company are excited
about the unique and novel disease-relevant insights, which have
the potential to transform how influenza is currently treated. T he
project is due to commence immediately with a full work programme
already agreed, and first results expected in H1 2023.
CytoReason's machine learning algorithm works by combing through
enormous repositories of clinical data to build models of human
disease, which can then be used by biotech and pharmaceutical
partners to identify novel targets, prioritise mono/combination
therapies, find biomarkers, and understand which patients will
benefit most from those new treatments. CytoReason will build a
tailored AI model using its existing clinical data in conjunction
with Poolbeg's human challenge data to maximise the insights
generated. As a result, CytoReason will be able to prioritise new
drug targets quickly and cost effectively, in a manner consistent
with Poolbeg's business model. Based on the target identification
insights generated from the analysis, the Company plans to source
drugs with existing Phase I safety data that can immediately
continue clinical development to rapidly generate early human proof
of concept data for influenza, with the ultimate aim of monetising
the asset through partnerships and licensing deals with pharma and
biotech .
This is the first time that AI analysis has been undertaken on
influenza human challenge disease progression data and samples.
Data from human challenge studies are unique in that they track a
healthy subject through disease to recovery in carefully controlled
and monitored isolation units, collecting samples throughout the
course of disease, and vitally collecting matched baseline and
follow-up samples before and after infection. CytoReason will be
analysing blood transcriptomics, proteomics, DNA sequences and
viral loads and disease signs and symptoms from the human challenge
studies .
This deal comes at a time when the threat of influenza is
significant. Cases are at their highest globally since the COVID-19
pandemic began where pre-pandemic one in eight people were
affected, resulting in five to ten million hospitalisations and
500,000 deaths each year. Poolbeg's asset, POLB 001, which is
progressing towards its first human challenge trial in June 2022,
was identified using the unique disease progression data available
from human challenge trials. By utilising AI, the Company will
identify more targets, quicker and more cost effectively than
previously possible without this technology.
This is Poolbeg's latest AI deal following the partnership with
OneThree Biotech, Inc. announced in February 2021 to identify new
drug targets and treatments for Respiratory Syncytial Virus
('RSV').
Jeremy Skillington, PhD, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma, said:
"This exciting deal is all about creating opportunities.
Opportunities to unlock the potential of our unique bank of human
challenge data. Opportunities to develop drugs for infectious
disease more quickly and cost effectively. And opportunities to
tackle the growing global threat of influenza.
"This is the first time AI analysis will be undertaken on
influenza human challenge trial data and we look forward to the
results early next year. We are delighted to be working with such
an industry leading partner as CytoReason and using cutting-edge AI
technology as we continue to develop and progress our innovative
infectious disease drug pipeline."
David Harel, CytoReason's CEO , said:
"We are excited about the potential of Poolbeg's data and are
delighted to be the first AI company to analyse Influenza human
challenge data. Our top-tier scientists, along with our platform of
computational disease models, will enable Poolbeg to significantly
shorten the drug discovery time for Influenza treatments,
dramatically reduce the costs involved, and ultimately help more
patients."
*A human challenge study is a controlled clinical infection
trial whereby individuals are intentionally exposed to a virus, or
a condition caused by a virus is simulated, to assess the impact of
treatments.
- Ends -
Enquiries
Poolbeg Pharma Plc
Jeremy Skillington, CEO
Ian O'Connell, CFO +44 (0) 207 183 1499
finnCap Ltd (Nominated Adviser & Joint
Broker)
Geoff Nash, James Thompson, Charlie
Beeson
Richard Chambers, Sunila de Silva (ECM) +44 (0) 207 220 0500
Arden Partners PLC (Joint Broker)
John Lewellyn-Lloyd, Louisa Waddell +44 (0) 207 614 5900
J&E Davy (Joint Broker)
Anthony Farrell, Niall Gilchrist +353 (0) 1 679 6363
Instinctif Partners +44 (0) 207 457 2020
Melanie Toyne Sewell, Rozi Morris, Tim poolbeg@instinctif.com
Field
CytoReason +972 (0) 545 88 3181
Zeev Ben Shachar media@cytoreason.com
About Poolbeg Pharma
Poolbeg Pharma is a clinical stage infectious disease
pharmaceutical company, with a capital light clinical model which
aims to develop multiple products faster and more cost effectively
than the conventional biotech model. The Company, headquartered in
London, is led by a team with a track record of creation and
delivery of shareholder value and aspires to become a "one-stop
shop" for Big Pharma seeking mid-stage products to license or
acquire.
The Company is targeting the growing infectious disease market.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, infectious disease has become
one of the fastest growing pharma markets and is expected to exceed
$250bn by 2025.
With its initial assets from Open Orphan plc , an industry
leading infectious disease and human challenge trials business,
Poolbeg has access to knowledge, experience, and clinical data from
over 20 years of human challenge trials. The Company is using these
insights to acquire new assets as well as reposition clinical stage
products, reducing spend and risk. Amongst its portfolio of
exciting assets, Poolbeg has a small molecule immunomodulator for
severe influenza; a first-in-class, intranasally administered
RNA-based immunotherapy for respiratory virus infections; a vaccine
for Melioidosis, an oral vaccine delivery platform in development
and two AI data analysis platforms to help accelerate the power of
its human challenge model data and biobank.
For more information, please go to www.poolbegpharma.com
About CytoReason
CytoReason is a leading technology company developing
computational disease models. The company collects proprietary data
from pharmaceutical companies and uses it to simulate human
diseases - tissue by tissue, cell by cell. With CytoReason's
massive database and AI-led platform, pharma and biotech companies
can identify new opportunities, shorten trial phases, reduce
development costs, and increase the likelihood of approval. To
date, five of the world's top ten pharma companies use CytoReason's
technology. For more information, visit www.cytoreason.com .
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