SAB Biotherapeutics says SAB-176 trial met goal in adults with flu

US antibody specialist SAB Biotherapeutics (Nasdaq: SABS) yesterday announced that SAB-176, its investigational therapeutic for the treatment of seasonal influenza, achieved statistically significant (p = 0.026) reductions in viral load and clinical signs and symptoms compared to placebo in a Phase IIa challenge study.

In the study, SAB-176 appeared to be safe and well-tolerated. SAB-176 is a quadrivalent fully human polyclonal antibody therapeutic candidate designed for the treatment of moderate to severe Type A and B seasonal influenza viruses. SAB’s shares closed up 3.2% at $11.24, having risen at high as $12.09 earlier.

“We are highly encouraged by these top-line results showing that treatment with SAB-176 achieved statistical significance in reducing influenza viral load and clinical signs and symptoms in treated subjects, despite the small size of this first Phase II study. These data suggest that SAB-176 has the potential to be an effective treatment for this prevalent, highly-mutating virus that resurfaces annually and is a major source of hospitalizations and deaths,” said Dr Tom Luke, chief medical officer of SAB Biotherapeutics. “These trial results support advancing SAB-176 as a potential treatment for seasonal influenza through further clinical studies, and we look forward to sharing additional data as it becomes available,” he noted.