Treatment and prevention of multiple respiratory pathogens

Our Company

AuraVax Therapeutics, Inc., (AuraVax) is commercializing its intranasal platform called “NanoSTING” to treat and prevent respiratory infections independent of the pathogen. NanoSTING technology safely and sustainably activates the STING pathway to restore and boost innate immunity which is one of the body’s first lines of defense against infection. 

The company is developing it’s technology as a new class of “host-directed-therapeutics” to treat infections from respiratory pathogens.  Separately, AuraVax is pursuing NanoSTING to improve intranasal vaccines by enhancing the respiratory system’s protection.

Introduction to NanoSTING

Respiratory pathogens such as viruses are threats to personal health and economic wellbeing of nations.  The immune system provides protection, but disease occurs before an immune response is established or if the response is weak.  Seasonal viruses (such as influenza and coronavirus) are constantly changing to avoid immune detection, and new respiratory pathogens are emerging or being weaponized that we have not naturally experienced.

The NanoSTING platform activates the immune system in the respiratory tract.  It is designed to be administered before exposure to pathogens to keep you from developing an infection.   When given after an infection it is intended to reduce the chances of developing serious illness. 

Pipeline

Multiple first-in-class products are under development using the NanoSTING platform. 

NanoSTING-001: A standalone host-directed-therapeutic (HDT) being advanced for treatment or prevention of respiratory infections.  HDTs are medicines that target the host’s own mechanisms to fight disease, rather than directly targeting the pathogen, aiming to restore balance to the body’s defense mechanisms and improve clinical outcomes. 

Example #1: Jumpstarts immune response in anticipation of exposure. E.g.,

• To prevent the spread of virus upon disease among the elderly in a group setting. 
• To safeguard public traveling in a confined setting during outbreaks of seasonal viruses.
• To protect the warfighter operating facing unknown bioweapons.

Example #2: Augments immune response after exposure. E.g.,

• To treat cold and cough symptoms to prevent progression to serious disease such as pneumonia in elderly and immunocompromised.
• To control symptoms from an initial infection allowing our immune response to rapidly respond and protect upon repeat exposure.
• Buy time for the warfighter to fight off infection from unknown biothreats.

   

NanoSTING-002: A mucosal adjuvant for intranasal vaccines.  A vaccine adjuvant is a substance added to enhance the immune response making it effective and potentially requiring a smaller dose.  While many of today’s approved vaccines administered via needle injection are formulated with adjuvants, NanoSTING-002 would be the first to help make needle-free intranasal vaccines more effective and widely available.

Example #1: Convenient and Improved Vaccine Outcomes 

• Improve immune response to current vaccines in elderly and immunocompromised.
• Generate a complete immune response for new vaccines delivered via the nose.
• Provide a pathway for existing vaccines to be administered needle-free by the nose.

NanoSTING-003: A next generation HDT being developed by AuraVax.

Advantages of NanoSTING

• • “One drug for multiple bugs” breaking the current paradigm of “one drug for one bug”
  • May be combined with exiting therapies
  • Includes application in medically vulnerable (e.g., elderly and immunocompromised)
  • Convenient dosing
  • Supply chain independent of cryopreservation