G.ST Antivirals reports positive Phase I trial results
Vienna, Austria, 25 January 2024 – G.ST Antivirals reported positive results from Phase I clinical trials on its lead programme, a nasal spray containing 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG). Phase II clinical trials are set to start in the first half of 2024. The funds to complete Phase II comprise a EUR 4 million Series A round led by xista science ventures (xsv) with participation from the Lansdowne Investment Company, and funding commitment of EUR 2.2 million from the Life Sciences Programme of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).
G.ST Antiviral’s technology
The compound 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) tackles rhinoviruses (RVs), the causative agent of the common cold and other respiratory pathogens, such as coronaviruses.Viruses do not possess a metabolism of their own and are dependent on the host cell metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis, to multiply. Inhibition of glycolysis by the glucose analogue 2-DG manipulates the metabolism of the host cell and prevents the utilization of sugar by the virus, thereby significantly limiting its reproduction and consequently starving the virus.
“The results of the Phase I trial confirm the safety of our innovative approach of using 2-DG to treat respiratory infections. This could be a doorway to improve the lives for millions of patients, especially vulnerable individuals, school children, parents and teachers,” said Dr. AnnaDorothea Gorki, CSO of G.ST Antivirals. “By targeting the host cell, we remove the likelihood of drug resistance development, and also ensure broad applicability, based on a safe, tolerable treatment, potentially delivering savings to healthcare industries and national economies,” she added.
Phase I: 2-Deoxy-D-glucose based nasal spray
In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at the Vienna General Hospital, 45 healthy volunteers received either a single ascending dose (SAD) or multiple ascending doses (MAD), of 3.5% 2-DG as nasal spray solution or placebo. A total of 36 study participants were treated with 2-DG and 9 participants were treated with placebo. Safety, tolerability and olfactory function as well as the pharmacokinetics of 2-DG were assessed. A total of 11 adverse events (AEs) were reported by study participants, and there were no differences found in the rate of AEs between 2-DG-treated and placebo-treated groups. Intranasal administration of 2-DG did not lead to any safety observations or SAEs, changes in olfactory function or changes in blood glucose levels.
“While viral infections of the upper respiratory tract are ubiquitous, they are currently insufficiently treated, and RVs are responsible for most of these infections. The results from our Phase I study give us great confidence in the future of 2-DG and our company,” said Dr. Guido Gualdoni, Co-Founder and CEO of G.ST Antivirals. “The years of in-house development have convinced us of the great potential of our approach, which is also backed by investor vision through our Series A financing and the funding commitment from the FFG.” he noted.
About G.ST Antivirals
G.ST Antivirals is an Austrian company founded in 2019 as a spin-off from the Medical University of Vienna. Following extensive research on the inhibition of rhinovirus infections, G.ST Antivirals has developed a patented, innovative drug against colds and other viral infections. For this discovery, the two founders Guido Gualdoni, CEO, and Johannes Stöckl, who is part of the company’s advisory board, received the award “Inventor of the Year” by the Medical University of Vienna in 2020. After a successful funding round in 2020, the start of a Phase 1 clinical trial at the Department of Clinical Pharmacology followed in 2022. For further information, please visit our website www.gst-antivirals.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
About xista science ventures
xista science ventures is an Austria-based venture fund investing in early-stage life science and deeptech startups across Europe. With a deep understanding of both scientific and investor perspectives, xista science ventures is an active partner to its portfolio companies, providing support for founders in realizing deep-tech ideas and scaling enterprises. The fund's diverse portfolio spans the full breadth of science, in fields such as biotechnology, medtech, materials science, and software. xista science ventures is embedded in the innovation system around the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA).
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G.ST Antivirals reports positive Phase I trial results
Vienna, Austria, 25 January 2024 – G.ST Antivirals reported positive results from Phase I clinical trials on its lead programme, a nasal spray containing 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG). Phase II clinical trials are set to start in the first half of 2024. The funds to complete Phase II comprise a EUR 4 million Series A round led by xista science ventures (xsv) with participation from the Lansdowne Investment Company, and funding commitment of EUR 2.2 million from the Life Sciences Programme of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).
G.ST Antiviral’s technology
The compound 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) tackles rhinoviruses (RVs), the causative agent of the common cold and other respiratory pathogens, such as coronaviruses.Viruses do not possess a metabolism of their own and are dependent on the host cell metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis, to multiply. Inhibition of glycolysis by the glucose analogue 2-DG manipulates the metabolism of the host cell and prevents the utilization of sugar by the virus, thereby significantly limiting its reproduction and consequently starving the virus.
“The results of the Phase I trial confirm the safety of our innovative approach of using 2-DG to treat respiratory infections. This could be a doorway to improve the lives for millions of patients, especially vulnerable individuals, school children, parents and teachers,” said Dr. AnnaDorothea Gorki, CSO of G.ST Antivirals. “By targeting the host cell, we remove the likelihood of drug resistance development, and also ensure broad applicability, based on a safe, tolerable treatment, potentially delivering savings to healthcare industries and national economies,” she added.
Phase I: 2-Deoxy-D-glucose based nasal spray
In the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at the Vienna General Hospital, 45 healthy volunteers received either a single ascending dose (SAD) or multiple ascending doses (MAD), of 3.5% 2-DG as nasal spray solution or placebo. A total of 36 study participants were treated with 2-DG and 9 participants were treated with placebo. Safety, tolerability and olfactory function as well as the pharmacokinetics of 2-DG were assessed. A total of 11 adverse events (AEs) were reported by study participants, and there were no differences found in the rate of AEs between 2-DG-treated and placebo-treated groups. Intranasal administration of 2-DG did not lead to any safety observations or SAEs, changes in olfactory function or changes in blood glucose levels.
“While viral infections of the upper respiratory tract are ubiquitous, they are currently insufficiently treated, and RVs are responsible for most of these infections. The results from our Phase I study give us great confidence in the future of 2-DG and our company,” said Dr. Guido Gualdoni, Co-Founder and CEO of G.ST Antivirals. “The years of in-house development have convinced us of the great potential of our approach, which is also backed by investor vision through our Series A financing and the funding commitment from the FFG.” he noted.
About G.ST Antivirals
G.ST Antivirals is an Austrian company founded in 2019 as a spin-off from the Medical University of Vienna. Following extensive research on the inhibition of rhinovirus infections, G.ST Antivirals has developed a patented, innovative drug against colds and other viral infections. For this discovery, the two founders Guido Gualdoni, CEO, and Johannes Stöckl, who is part of the company’s advisory board, received the award “Inventor of the Year” by the Medical University of Vienna in 2020. After a successful funding round in 2020, the start of a Phase 1 clinical trial at the Department of Clinical Pharmacology followed in 2022. For further information, please visit our website www.gst-antivirals.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
About xista science ventures
xista science ventures is an Austria-based venture fund investing in early-stage life science and deeptech startups across Europe. With a deep understanding of both scientific and investor perspectives, xista science ventures is an active partner to its portfolio companies, providing support for founders in realizing deep-tech ideas and scaling enterprises. The fund's diverse portfolio spans the full breadth of science, in fields such as biotechnology, medtech, materials science, and software. xista science ventures is embedded in the innovation system around the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA).