FibrosIX Inc. SBIR grant from the National Science Foundation

FibrosIX Inc. has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR grant to explore the ability of our compounds to quiet hyper-inflammation (2035857 QUIETING SYSTEMIC HYPER-INFLAMMATION IN COVID-19 WITH CCG-257081 (COVID-19)). In this Phase I SBIR, FibrosIX plans to investigate how the lead compound CCG-257081 (FBX081) acts on systemic inflammatory pathways activated during hyper-inflammation, a life-threatening complication of viral pneumonias, such as Covid-19. In the lungs, the primary target organ, these complications include progression to acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In addition, Covid-19 has systemic effects on the body by altering thrombosis and coagulation, in some cases leading to disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC). FibrosIX Inc. hypothesizes that their therapeutics, if administered at the first signs of hyper-inflammation would allow patients to recover from the initial mis-regulation of the immune system and prevent long-term damage, such as lung fibrosis, resulting in reduced mortality and improved patient outcomes.

During 2020, Covid-19 has drawn international attention to the dangers of hyper-inflammation. Unfortunately, there are no methods available to treat the wide spectrum of inflammatory responses associated with Covid-19, many of which can be lethal. To treat the systemic problem as a whole requires a therapy which can act early in the inflammation pathway. In addition, those who survive the inflammatory complications have long term disabilities including: lung fibrosis, significantly higher risks of rehospitalization, decreased quality of life, and in many cases lost earnings. While the current pandemic will subside, hyper-inflammation will remain a major problem, whether caused by a new strain of coronavirus or a host of other insults, such as pulmonary infection. With a novel molecular target that is hypothesized to act on both systemic inflammatory pathways and fibrosis pathways, FibrosIX therapeutics may offer a solution to address both the initial phases of the disease and alleviate long-term consequences.

The current global crisis is expected to have severe follow-on effects due to the life-threatening morbidities associated with the Covid-19 cytokine storm. With the support of the NSF, FibrosIX is excited to develop a therapeutic to alleviate the long-term effects of Covid-19, and guard against the adverse effects of future coronavirus pandemics, by treating both the mis-regulation of inflammation and preventing future complications of hyper-inflammation.