Matinas BioPharma to Collaborate With NIAID to Test Remdesivir

By Chris Wack

Matinas BioPharma Holdings Inc. said Monday it plans to collaborate with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, to test oral formulations of remdesivir in preclinical models.

Remdesivir is owned by Gilead Sciences Inc., and the lipid nanocrystal platform is owned by Matinas. Any product generated as a part of efforts by Matinas and NIAID would require a license from Gilead for the use of remdesivir and a license from Matinas for the use of the LNC formulation.

One or more formulations of remdesivir will be developed using Matinas' Lipid Nanocrystal platform delivery technology, which enables the development of a wide range of difficult-to-deliver molecules.

Matinas said it plans to use NIAID's suite of preclinical services to carry out antiviral testing with selected formulations. Gilead will provide remdesivir and work with Matinas to evaluate the data generated from the planned series of preclinical studies.

Matinas shares were up 13% to $1.23 in premarket trading.

Write to Chris Wack at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 07, 2020 07:07 ET (12:07 GMT)

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