Eradivir

Eradivir, a clinical-stage biotechnology firm, was established in March 2020 by brothers Martin Low and Dr. Philip S. Low, along with Isaac Barchas. The company operates out of West Lafayette, Indiana, and is a spin-out from Purdue University, leveraging technology developed in Dr. Philip Low's laboratory. Martin Low serves as CEO, bringing experience from co-founding seven other companies and a nine-year tenure as CEO at On Target Labs, a biotech firm he also co-founded. Dr. Philip S. Low, the Chief Scientific Officer, is a distinguished professor at Purdue University with over 45 years of experience in drug development, holding over 100 patents and having published more than 500 scientific articles. His research has led to the founding of seven companies, including Endocyte, which was acquired by Novartis for $2.1 billion in 2018.

Eradivir focuses on developing small-molecule, bispecific immunotherapies to combat infectious diseases. The company's proprietary Bispecific Antigenic Immuno-Therapy (BAiT) platform is engineered to tether a patient's own immune cells to diseased cells, facilitating their rapid and selective destruction. This technology combines the simplicity of small-molecule therapies with the efficacy of antibody treatments. The business model centers on the development and commercialization of these therapies, with intellectual property licensed from the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization. Initially targeting influenza, the company expanded its focus to include other viruses like RSV and coronaviruses shortly after its inception, prompted by the global pandemic.

The lead product candidate, EV25, is an antiviral therapeutic for influenza. It functions by binding to and inhibiting viral neuraminidase on both free virus particles and infected cells, while also recruiting the patient's antibodies to attack the virus. Preclinical studies have shown that a single intranasal dose of EV25 can eliminate detectable virus within 24 hours, even when administered up to 96 hours after infection. This demonstrates a broader window of efficacy compared to the current standard of care. Following successful preclinical trials and a Phase 1 safety study in Belgium, Eradivir initiated a Phase 2 challenge study for EV25. The company has secured significant funding, including a $10.25 million Series A round, to advance its clinical trials. Total funding has reached over $20 million from sources including the National Science Foundation, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and private investors.

Keywords: antiviral therapeutics, immunotherapy, small molecule drugs, infectious diseases, influenza treatment, drug development, clinical-stage biotech, bispecific antibodies, BAiT platform, viral infections, respiratory syncytial virus, Purdue University spin-out, neuraminidase inhibitor, immune system modulation, targeted therapy, EV25, Philip S. Low, Martin Low, preclinical studies, clinical trials, Series A funding