NIH and Matinas BioPharma Announce Research Collaboration to Identify Novel HIV Therapy Utilizing LNC Platform Delivery Technology

Matinas BioPharma (NYSE:MTNB), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative medicines using its proprietary lipid nano-crystal (LNC) platform delivery technology, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), today announced a research collaboration focused on the development of a novel therapy for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) combining targeted antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) and Matinas’ LNC delivery technology.

As quoted in the press release:

“We are very pleased to collaborate with the NIH on this important project,” commented Dr. Raphael J. Mannino, Chief Scientific Officer of Matinas BioPharma.  “The demonstrated efficacy of our LNC platform technology, in animal models, to effectively deliver siRNA to inhibit viral replication, as well as the ability of LNC to cross the blood-brain barrier, provides a strong foundation upon which to move forward with the NINDS on this program.  We hope this critical project further demonstrates that our technology can be a ground-breaking solution to the variety of well-known delivery challenges in the gene therapy space.”

Following more than 30 years of research, HIV remains a chronic infection with long-term damaging consequences including immunological dysfunction and neurocognitive impairment.  Despite the presence of antiretroviral therapy (ART), ongoing viral replication, persistent inflammation and antiretroviral toxicity remain significant problems.

Click here to read the full press release.