BioS for prevention and treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) – A proof of concept study

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common cause of respiratory failure with high mortality.

ARDS symptoms are caused by a combination of systemic inflammation, unresolved infection, and dysfunctional coagulation.

Because ARDS is so complex, no new treatments have so far improved survival.BioS is an optimized mimic of TCP-25, a natural multifunctional peptide with anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and coagulation normalizing properties.

In this project we will evaluate the effects of BioS on infection, inflammation, coagulation, and lung function in clinically relevant mouse and porcine models of ARDS caused by infection and endotoxic shock. We will use both bacterial- and viral-related causes of ARDS to ensure the broad applicability of the results.

We will evaluate clinically relevant outcomes, which will allow us to bring BioS one step closer to clinical applications.

The innovation potential is therefore very high as BioS could become the first multi-action therapeutic for ARDS, able to prevent and treat infection and neutralize harmful inflammation and coagulation, simultaneously targeting the major causes of ARDS symptoms.

Next steps after this project will include regulatory work and planning for a phase 1 clinical trial in humans.BioS will benefit patients and society by preventing ARDS, reducing its severity, mortality, and long-term sequelae, avoiding preventable deaths, increasing quality of life of survivors, and ultimately reducing healthcare costs.