Tonix Pharmaceuticals Announces Program Updates on Phase 2/3-Ready Long-Acting Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Designed for Seasonal Prevention of Lyme Disease (TNX-4800)

Core Insights - Tonix Pharmaceuticals is developing TNX-4800, a long-acting human monoclonal antibody targeting Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, with plans for clinical trials to begin in early 2027 [1][2][3] Group 1: Product Development - TNX-4800 is designed for annual seasonal use, administered subcutaneously in the spring to provide protection against Lyme disease throughout the tick season [1][3] - The company plans to meet with the FDA in 2026 to discuss Phase 2/3 development options, including a controlled human infection model (CHIM) study [2] - TNX-4800 has shown 95% effectiveness in preventing infection in non-human primates after exposure to infected ticks [3] Group 2: Market Potential - Approximately 70 million people in the U.S. living in Lyme disease-endemic areas could benefit from TNX-4800 as a pre-exposure prophylactic [1] - There are currently no FDA-approved vaccines or prophylactics available for Lyme disease in the U.S., highlighting a significant market opportunity for TNX-4800 [1][2] Group 3: Safety and Efficacy - TNX-4800 demonstrated rapid systemic absorption, with serum concentrations remaining quantifiable for over 200 days in 80% of volunteers at the lowest dose [4][5] - The mean half-life of TNX-4800 ranged from 62 to 69 days across different dosage groups, indicating prolonged efficacy [4] - Most adverse events reported were mild or moderate, and TNX-4800 was generally well tolerated [5] Group 4: Lyme Disease Overview - Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne infection in the U.S., with increasing incidence, particularly in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper-Midwest regions [6] - Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash, with untreated cases potentially leading to severe complications [6]