This study site follows the Company’s earlier announcement of the agreement reached with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct research to determine the anti-inflammatory and anti-infective effectiveness of Zofin™ in experimental models of influenza infection.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has infected over 5 million people globally and caused over 300,000 case fatalities in 188 countries. Additionally, the CDC estimates between 39-55 million influenza related illnesses and more than 60,000 deaths due to influenza. The observed illnesses and case fatalities are primarily due to the lack of known effective antivirals and prophylactic vaccines to attenuate the viruses.
In this agreement, Organicell will supply Oklahoma State University with its lead compound, Zofin™, which is an acellular material derived from human amniotic fluid. This extracellular vesicle-derived nanoparticle-based therapeutic will be assessed on its ability to induce antiviral and/or immunomodulatory activity against virus infections of pandemic potential as there is an unmet need for non-toxic and effective therapeutic approaches to deal with current and imminent pandemics.
"Organicell is dedicated to continuing regenerative therapy research for diseases with unmet needs. We are thrilled to be partnering with Oklahoma State University and the CDC on the study of Zofin™ for viral infections of pandemic proportions. A year into the pandemic has shown us the importance of research aimed at the development of biologics," said Albert Mitrani, CEO of Organicell.
"We are excited to partner with Oklahoma State University and the CDC to investigate how the extracellular vesicle-derived nanoparticles, in Zofin™, will impact antiviral and/or immunomodulatory activity of viral infections with pandemic potential." Dr. Mari Mitrani, Chief Science Officer of Organicell.
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