LOS ANGELES, Aug. 26, 2024 -- Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE American: ARMP), a biotechnology company specializing in bacteriophage therapeutics for combating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, has announced that Chief Medical Officer Mina Pastagia, M.D., MS, will present a poster at the 2024 Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS) in Kissimmee, FL, from August 26-29.
The poster presentation will outline Armata's phage therapy development initiatives, specifically focusing on two programs: inhaled AP-PA02 for Pseudomonas aeruginosa bronchiectasis and intravenous AP-SA02 for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. These therapies are currently being evaluated through three separate double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 clinical trials.
For AP-SA02, Armata is progressing with a Phase 1b/2a multiple ascending dose study called diSArm. This study is investigating the intravenous administration of AP-SA02 alongside the best available antibiotic therapy (BAT) compared to BAT alone. The enrollment for this study is 80% complete, and it is expected to conclude by the end of 2024. The development of AP-SA02 is backed by a $21.6 million grant from the Department of Defense, managed through the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC) and the Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC) – Naval Advanced Medical Development (NAMD), with funding from the Defense Health Agency and the Joint Warfighter Medical Research Program.
Dr. Pastagia expressed the company's excitement about participating in MHSRS, emphasizing the rigorously designed clinical trials for their phage candidates. She highlighted that the completed and ongoing Phase 2 trials have shown that the phage therapies are well tolerated, which has allowed for the evaluation of higher doses. This could enhance the therapies' effectiveness in targeting pathogenic bacteria specifically, potentially reducing the need for broad-spectrum antibiotics and preserving the human microbiome to lower patient morbidity. Dr. Pastagia also acknowledged the financial and collaborative support from NMRC, NAMD, and MTEC.
Both inhaled AP-PA02 and intravenous AP-SA02 have shown promising results so far, with multiple-dose administrations being well tolerated. Preliminary pharmacokinetic data indicate that AP-SA02 is active in all subjects, with longer persistence in some, suggesting a potential in vivo amplification of the phages and a persistent reservoir of S. aureus bacteria despite antibiotic use. This could provide increased clinical benefits for patients with difficult-to-treat S. aureus infections. Additionally, inhaled AP-PA02 monotherapy appears to be a viable alternative to inhaled antibiotics for Pseudomonas aeruginosa bronchiectasis. The promising data from these trials are expected to guide Phase 3 clinical trials planned for 2025.
About MHSRS
The MHSRS is the Department of Defense's premier scientific meeting, focusing on the unique medical needs of military personnel. It serves as a platform for presenting new scientific knowledge from military-specific research and development. The symposium facilitates the exchange of information among military healthcare providers, research scientists, academic experts, international partners, and industry professionals on various topics, including Combat Casualty Care, Military Operational Medicine, Clinical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Information Sciences, Military Infectious Diseases, and Radiation Health Effects.
About Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Armata Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology firm dedicated to developing bacteriophage therapeutics aimed at treating antibiotic-resistant and hard-to-treat bacterial infections. The company is advancing a pipeline of both natural and synthetic phage candidates, including treatments for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and other pathogens. Armata leverages its proprietary bacteriophage technology and in-house cGMP manufacturing to drive its drug development from the bench to the clinic.
By advancing phage therapy, Armata aims to introduce a novel class of anti-infectives to improve patient care, reduce the reliance on traditional antibiotics, and preserve the human microbiome.
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