MLS Bio Awarded $1 Million Federal Grant to Advance COVID-19 Antiviral Discovery

MLS Bio (formerly Esfam Biotech) has been awarded $1 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund to accelerate development of a novel antiviral treatment for COVID-19. The grant follows promising preclinical results demonstrating the potential of the company’s compound, MLS-289, to both treat and prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Recent animal studies showed that Delcetravir cleared lung inflammation associated with COVID-19 infection in just three and a half days. Unlike traditional therapies, the compound works by blocking viral entry via a unique mechanism distinct from the ACE-2 receptor pathway, offering a new approach to combating infection.

The research also suggests that Delcetravir could serve as a post-exposure preventative and may be effective against variants, including Omicron. To maximize patient accessibility and reduce systemic side effects, MLS Bio is advancing a dry powder inhalation formulation, similar to an asthma inhaler. If successful, this could represent the first antiviral delivered through inhalation.Professor Sharon Lewin, Director of the Doherty Institute and member of MLS Bio’s Scientific Advisory Board, noted that “despite the availability of effective vaccines, there remains an urgent need for better treatments for people infected with SARS-CoV-2. Although clinical trials are still ahead, the animal studies are indeed promising.”

“MLS Bio is on the verge of some very exciting developments,” said Professor Albert Frauman, Co-Founder and Medical Director. “This grant adds further credibility to our work and accelerates our mission to deliver MLS-289 as a potential treatment for COVID-19.”

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