Tonix Pharma Secures Up to $34M DoD Contract for Antiviral Development

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp., a biopharmaceutical company listed on Nasdaq as TNXP, has secured a significant contract from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), part of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The contract, structured as an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA), brings potential funding of up to $34 million over the next five years. The objective is to develop broad-spectrum antiviral agents to enhance the medical readiness of military personnel in environments with biological threats.

The primary focus will be on Tonix's TNX-4200 program, aimed at developing an oral CD45 antagonist with broad-spectrum antiviral efficacy. The project involves optimizing and evaluating these compounds through preclinical trials to establish their physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics, and safety profiles. The ultimate goal is to support an Investigational New Drug (IND) submission and fund a Phase 1 clinical study involving human subjects.

Dr. Seth Lederman, President and CEO of Tonix, emphasized the critical importance of this agreement in aligning with the DoD’s strategy of moving beyond the traditional "one bug, one drug" approach. Instead, the DoD is now interested in broad-spectrum antiviral drugs that can address multiple viral threats simultaneously. This funding signifies a validation of Tonix's research capabilities and allows the company to advance its antiviral discovery efforts significantly.

The five-year contract will facilitate the development of broad-spectrum antiviral solutions that have the potential to reduce viral loads and enable the immune system's adaptive response. Tonix aims to leverage its previous research on phosphatase inhibitors, particularly those targeting CD45, to fine-tune lead compounds for treating biothreat agents. The goal is to provide a comprehensive and cost-effective broad-spectrum antiviral medical countermeasure. Tonix's approach suggests that partial inhibition of CD45 could offer optimal antiviral protection while necessitating lower drug concentrations, resulting in a lower dose and improved safety profile.

Tonix is well-equipped to undertake this project, utilizing its advanced research laboratory facilities, including a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) lab and an Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL-3) facility. Both are located at its research and development center in Frederick, Maryland, within the state's renowned I-270 biotech corridor. This proximity to the U.S. biodefense research community and access to experienced personnel will be crucial for the project's success.