Traws Pharma soars as it advances H5N1 bird flu treatment

USA-based clinical-stage biopharma Traws Pharma (Nasdaq: TRAW) saw its shares leap more than 150% to $12.57 as it announced progress in the development of its investigational one-dose influenza (flu) investigational therapy, tivoxavir marboxil for treatment of H5N1 bird flu. A Phase I trial tested tivoxavir marboxil in healthy adults who didn't have the flu.

Traws Pharma expects to begin a Phase II study in the first half of 2025 as it expands its influenza program in response to the bird flu threat. The virus has been detected in dairy cattle in the USA. since March 2024, resulting in infections in over 60 people across eight states.

"The spread of avian influenza in wild and domestic animal populations including mammals, brings increasing risk for adaptation to humans and subsequent spread in the population" said Traws Pharma’s chief medical officer Dr Robert Redfield, a former Director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Bird flu is an occupational hazard for poultry and dairy workers. With increasing numbers of human infections and recent reports of severe cases, we should be alert to the rising potential for epidemic or pandemic spread of bird flu,” he added.