Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Kovina Therapeutics Inc. has announced the successful acquisition of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/NIH for the treatment of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) premalignant infections. The one-year award provides approximately $300,000 in funding, with the potential for progression to Phase 2.
Kristin Sherman, CEO of Kovina Therapeutics, expressed delight at receiving another grant from the NIH to support the company's ongoing research and development endeavors. She stated, "We are pleased to receive a second grant from NIH to support Kovina's research and development efforts. The award from NIAID will aid our development of therapeutics to combat HPV premalignant infections, which pose a significant global health challenge."
Dr. Elliot Androphy, CSO of Kovina Therapeutics, commended the company's compelling and innovative research proposal, which led to the award following a rigorous review by the NIH. He explained, "Our compounds are specifically designed to target a vital HPV protein that is expressed in early, premalignant, and cancerous conditions. By deactivating this protein, we can selectively eliminate HPV-infected cells. Our therapeutics are intended to prevent the progression of HPV premalignant infections into cancer and treat HPV-related cancers upon detection."
Kovina Therapeutics' commitment to advancing the treatment of HPV premalignant infections aligns with the urgent need to address this global health issue. The SBIR Phase I award from the NIAID/NIH will contribute significantly to the company's efforts in developing effective therapeutics in this field.
