TFF Pharmaceuticals, Emory University, and BARDA Collaborate on Inhaled mRNA Treatment for Flu and COVID

TFF Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: TFFP), a biopharmaceutical company in the clinical stage, has announced a new collaboration with Emory University and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). This partnership is aimed at assessing the viability of converting Emory’s mRNA-based Cas13a antiviral, targeting influenza A and B as well as SARS-CoV-2, into a dry powder form. This new formulation is expected to offer improved precision in inhalational delivery, enhanced stability, and easier distribution without the need for cold-chain storage.

The funding for this initiative comes from the Easy Broad Agency Announcement (EZ-BAA) contract, which supports early-stage therapeutic platform development under the FASTx program. The FASTx program is focused on creating rapidly adaptable platforms to combat viral threats through advanced technologies like CRISPR-Cas. This approach allows for the swift manufacturing of antiviral solutions in response to emerging viral threats.

Dr. Harlan Weisman, CEO of TFF Pharmaceuticals, emphasized the importance of this partnership in addressing the rapid evolution of viruses, which often renders traditional antiviral therapies ineffective and risks widespread outbreaks. He highlighted that the inhalational delivery of antiviral therapies can drive efficacy by targeting the virus replication sites, while the improved stability and room temperature storage make it practical for broad distribution.

Philip J. Santangelo, a professor at Georgia Tech School of Engineering and Emory University School of Medicine, echoed these sentiments. He noted that TFF's novel dry powder formulation offers a crucial new method to meet the need for precise delivery of therapeutics against dangerous respiratory viral infections. He stressed the importance of flexibility in delivery, especially given the constantly changing strains of influenza and COVID, and looked forward to working with the TFF team to develop faster and more efficient treatments.

This project is supported by federal funds from BARDA, which is part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

TFF Pharmaceuticals’ proprietary Thin Film Freezing (TFF) technology enables the transformation of both existing compounds and new chemical entities into dry powder formulations with unique benefits. The TFF process generates dry powder particles with properties advantageous for various routes of administration, including inhalation, parenteral, nasal, oral, topical, and ocular. This technology aims to improve bioavailability, speed up the onset of action, and enhance safety and efficacy by delivering therapies directly to the target organ. For example, TFF powders can deliver up to 75% of the dose to the deep lung, reducing unwanted toxicities and side effects.

Another advantage of the TFF process is that it does not introduce forces that can damage complex therapeutic components, such as fragile biologics. This allows the reformulation of these materials into stable, easily stored dry powders, making therapeutics and vaccines more accessible for global distribution. The technology can be used to enhance traditional delivery methods or to create next-generation pharmaceutical products.

TFF Pharmaceuticals, Inc. specializes in developing and transforming medicines into dry powder formulations using its patented rapid freezing technology. Their versatile TFF technology platform is applicable to a wide range of drugs, including vaccines, small and large molecules, and biologics, providing significant benefits for inhalation and topical delivery.

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