Tiziana Life Sciences Ltd (NASDAQ:TLSA) said on Thursday that preclinical research on its experimental intranasal therapy showed potential to reduce brain inflammation and improve cognitive function linked to Long COVID, according to a study published on bioRxiv.
The study evaluated foralumab, a fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody administered through the nose, in a mouse model designed to mimic neurological symptoms of Long COVID without direct viral infection of the brain.
Researchers found the treatment reduced neuroinflammation, increased regulatory T cells in the brain and restored the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus, a region associated with memory. The therapy also improved short-term memory in the animals, the company said.
The research included observational data showing that patients with neurological symptoms of Long COVID had lower levels of circulating regulatory T cells.
Tiziana said the findings support the potential of intranasal anti-CD3 therapy to modulate immune responses and address persistent inflammation in the brain, often associated with so-called “brain fog” in Long COVID patients.
The study has not yet been peer-reviewed.
“The broad therapeutic window, effective both early and late after infection, and the lack of impact on antiviral immunity make intranasal foralumab an exciting candidate for clinical development in post-viral neuroinflammatory conditions,” said Howard Weiner, co-corresponding author, Director of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of Tiziana Life Sciences.
Tiziana CEO Ivor Elrifi said the results reinforce the broader therapeutic potential of foralumab, which is also being studied in neurodegenerative and inflammatory conditions, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. “We are thrilled to see these robust preclinical data in BioRxiv, further validating the broad therapeutic potential of our intranasal foralumab platform,” Elrifi said. “Foralumab is the only fully human anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody in clinical development.”
The company added that earlier clinical experience with intranasal foralumab in patients with non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis showed favorable safety and signs of reduced brain inflammation based on imaging data.
Shares of Tiziana added almost 4% on the update.