Australia's ENA Respiratory, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing INNA-051, a first-in-class broad-spectrum antiviral innate immunomodulator for pan-antiviral prophylaxis in at-risk populations and pandemic preparedness, has been selected to join BLUE KNIGHT, a joint initiative between Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS (JLABS) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ENA Respiratory is the first Australian company to be selected to join Blue Knight.

Blue Knight offers a scientific and technological ecosystem for innovative, early-stage companies to develop strategically aligned technologies that aim to combat health threats and emerging infectious diseases. ENA Respiratory’s selection highlights the urgent unmet need for therapies that could help the body respond faster to a broad range of respiratory viral infections and reduce the risk of hospitalization or complications. As a Blue Knight company, ENA Respiratory will benefit from mentorship from experts from BARDA, the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, and a global network of innovators who could provide critical insight and support throughout INNA-051 development.

ENA Respiratory’s self-administered nasal spray INNA-051 product is designed with the aim to stimulate the innate immunity in the nose, which is the preferential site of initial infection and replication of most respiratory viruses. Pre-clinical research demonstrates that INNA-051 has pan-antiviral potential with efficacy against a variety of respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and the common cold rhinovirus.

ENA Respiratory is a virtual resident within JLABS, a premier life science incubator program. Recently, ENA Respiratory began a Phase 2a influenza challenge pre-exposure prophylaxis study of INNA-051.