image: Chrysalis Biotherapeutics is developing TP508 to combat effects of radiation. view more
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GALVESTON, TX, May 2, 2016. Chrysalis BioTherapeutics, Inc. today announced receipt of a $3 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, to continue development of TP508 as a nuclear medical countermeasure. The drug is intended to be used in the event of a nuclear accident or the intentional detonation of a nuclear device to prevent radiation sickness and increase both survival and quality-of-life for those who survive.
Chrysalis BioTherapeutics has been developing TP508 as a medical countermeasure that could be quickly administered to thousands of people under emergency field conditions. In controlled preclinical studies, TP508 has significantly increased survival and delayed mortality when injected up to 24 hours after lethal radiation exposure.
"A single injection of TP508 protects endothelial cells lining blood vessels and stimulates stem cells to replace radiation-damaged cells," explained CEO of Chrysalis, Dr. Darrell Carney. "Administering TP508 after radiation exposure counteracts the effects of radiation on microvascular endothelial cells and stem cells in bone marrow, gastrointestinal crypts, skin, and even those in the brain."
This award brings the total NIAID-sponsored funding for this project to over $6 million and will allow Chrysalis to complete a number of studies required for FDA approval and the potential stockpiling of the drug for emergency use.
"TP508 is a peptide drug that represents a portion of the thrombin molecule that is released in our bodies at sites of tissue injury to stimulate repair," said Dr. Laurie Sower, Vice President of Research and a principal investigator on the project. "Because of its reparative effects, TP508, when injected systemically after radiation exposure, increases the body's capacity to fight infection, decreases bacterial septicemia, and prevents death."
Additional work suggests that TP508 has a number of potential therapeutic benefits that could be used clinically. "Other studies currently underway at Chrysalis show that TP508 injection prevents radiation-induced damage to normal tissues while allowing radiation to kill tumor cells," said Carney. "Thus, in addition to our nuclear countermeasure development, we are evaluating the potential use of TP508 to prevent radiation therapy-induced cognitive decline in children and adults with brain cancer."
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Chrysalis BioTherapeutics, Inc. is a privately held biopharmaceutical company located in Galveston, TX. TP508 (rusalatide acetate, Chrysalin®), the company's lead product, represents a natural regenerative peptide released at sites of tissue injury. Chrysalis has licensed TP508 technology from The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) for treatment directed toward preventing, reducing or mitigating the effects of radiation. TP508 is not yet FDA-approved and is currently only available for investigational use. For more information please visit http://www.chrysbio.com.
Research reported in this Press Release was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number 2R44AI086135. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and Chrysalis BioTherapeutics, Inc. and does not necessarily represent official views of the National Institutes of Health or The University of Texas Medical Branch.