Tiziana Life Sciences Ltd (NASDAQ:TLSA) announced that it has been awarded a US Department of Defense (DoD) research grant to advance its intranasal anti-CD3 therapy in traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).
The grant will support a three-year study examining the therapy in the acute phase of SCI, focusing on patients who present immediately following injury.
In addition, a two-year Stepping Strong Breakthrough Award will expand research into the chronic phase, targeting patients with persistent neurological deficits.
According to the company, traumatic SCI affects nearly 300,000 Americans living with permanent disability, with more than 17,000 new injuries each year.
Current treatment options are supportive, with no approved therapies that improve neurological recovery or prevent chronic complications caused by ongoing inflammation.
Tiziana highlighted that researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, part of Mass General Brigham, have previously reported preclinical results showing that intranasal anti-CD3 improved motor outcomes.
The therapy, delivered through the nose without surgery or infusions, is designed to rebalance the immune system, reduce inflammation in the spinal cord, and support functional recovery.
“SCI is not a one-time event—it is a chronic inflammatory disease,” Critical Care Neurologist at Mass General Brigham and program head Dr Saef Izzy said in a statement.
“Our findings suggest that intranasal anti-CD3 could change the trajectory of injury by addressing the immune cascade that continues to damage the spinal cord long after the initial trauma.”
Dr Izzy continued: “With support from the Department of Defense and Stepping Strong, we are moving from discovery to translation. Our goal is to build the data needed to bring a safe, practical therapy to people living with spinal cord injury.”
Shares of Tiziana added almost 11% before Monday’s opening bell on the news.