AIM announces Paul Goepfert, MD, as the principal investigator for the planned clinical study of Ampligen and FluMist as a vaccine for avian influenza

Core Viewpoint - AIM ImmunoTech Inc. is initiating a clinical study to evaluate the combination of Ampligen and AstraZeneca's FluMist as an intranasal vaccine for influenza, particularly targeting avian influenza strains [1][3]. Group 1: Clinical Study Details - The planned study will follow a previous trial at the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB), which demonstrated that Ampligen significantly enhanced the immune response to seasonal influenza variants by over four-fold and induced cross-reactive secretory Immunoglobulin A against avian influenza strains H5N1, H7N9, and H7N3 [2]. - Paul Goepfert, MD, will serve as the Principal Investigator for the study, emphasizing the urgency due to the rising threat of avian influenza [3]. Group 2: Financial and Development Insights - AIM's CEO highlighted the potential for a cost-effective development of the vaccine combination, estimating that it would require no more than $10 million in development costs, significantly less than the billions potentially needed for new mRNA vaccines [4]. - The company is seeking funding for the study through industry or governmental grants, indicating a proactive approach to securing necessary resources [3]. Group 3: Company Background - AIM ImmunoTech Inc. is focused on developing therapeutics for various diseases, including cancers and viral infections, with Ampligen being a key investigational drug that acts as a TLR3 agonist [5].