NEWTOWN, Pa., Oct. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Traws Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRAW) (“Traws Pharma”, “Traws” or “the Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies to target critical threats to human health from respiratory viral diseases, today announced the appointment of John Leaman, MD, to its board of directors as an independent director, effective October 1, 2025. In addition, Traws’ Board of Directors (the “Board”) has eliminated the interim notation of its key executi ...

Core Insights - Traws Pharma is advancing tivoxavir marboxil (TXM) as a single-dose therapeutic for bird flu, supported by strong antiviral activity in animal models and positive Phase 1 clinical data [1][2][3] - The company is in discussions with the FDA regarding an accelerated approval pathway under the "Animal Rule" [1][2] - Traws Pharma has a cash runway that is expected to support operations into Q1 2026, following a successful financing round that raised $20 million [1][12] Recent Developments - Traws Pharma has declared bird flu as its top priority, with ongoing concerns about farm infections and mutated viruses posing a pandemic risk [2] - Positive preclinical data for TXM has been demonstrated in three validated flu models, showing robust antiviral activity [2][6][8] - The company completed Phase 1 studies for TXM, indicating its potential as a single-dose oral treatment for H5N1 bird flu [9] Financial Performance - As of December 31, 2024, Traws Pharma reported cash and cash equivalents of approximately $21.3 million, an increase from $20.8 million in 2023 [12] - Research and development expenses for 2024 totaled $12.8 million, up from $11.4 million in 2023, primarily due to clinical and preclinical trials [13] - The net loss for 2024 was $166.5 million, significantly higher than the $18.9 million loss in 2023, largely due to acquired in-process research and development expenses [15][28] Product Pipeline - Traws Pharma's lead product candidate, TXM, is designed to be a single-dose treatment for bird flu and has shown potent in vitro activity against various influenza strains [17][18] - The company is also developing ratutrelvir, a COVID-19 treatment that does not require co-administration with ritonavir, potentially broadening its patient use [19][21] - Upcoming milestones include finalizing the development plan for TXM and submitting a pre-IND meeting request for ratutrelvir to engage with the FDA [7][10]

Core Insights - Traws Pharma is advancing tivoxavir marboxil (TXM) as a single-dose therapeutic for bird flu, supported by strong antiviral activity in animal models and positive Phase 1 clinical data [1][2][17] - The company is in discussions with the FDA regarding an accelerated approval pathway under the "Animal Rule" [1][2][7] - Traws Pharma has sufficient cash reserves, approximately $21.3 million, to support operations into Q1 2026 [1][12] Recent Developments - Traws Pharma reported positive topline results from studies of TXM in non-human primates and ferrets, indicating its effectiveness against H5N1 bird flu [5][8] - The company completed a financing round in December 2024, raising $20 million, which has strengthened its investor base [2] - The upcoming investor call will cover public health risks related to bird flu and the regulatory strategy for TXM, as well as updates on the COVID-19 treatment candidate, ratutrelvir [3] Financial Performance - For the year ended December 31, 2024, Traws Pharma reported a net loss of $166.5 million, significantly higher than the $18.9 million loss in 2023, primarily due to acquired in-process research and development expenses [15][25] - Research and development expenses increased to $12.8 million from $11.4 million in the previous year, reflecting ongoing clinical trials [13] - General and administrative expenses rose to $12.3 million from $9.1 million, largely due to increased consulting fees [14] Market Opportunity - The market for seasonal influenza treatments is estimated to be a multi-billion dollar opportunity, with potential growth from pandemic threats like H5N1 bird flu [17][18] - Ratutrelvir, the company's COVID-19 candidate, is positioned to address the need for improved therapies to mitigate clinical rebound and long COVID risks [19]

Core Viewpoint - Traws Pharma, Inc. has presented positive data for ratutrelvir, a main protease inhibitor, as a potential treatment for COVID-19, highlighting its advantages over current therapies, particularly the lack of need for co-administration with ritonavir [1][2][4]. Company Overview - Traws Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel therapies for respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19 [9][10]. - The company aims to create safe antiviral agents with simple dosing regimens to address critical health threats [9]. Product Development - Ratutrelvir is designed to be an oral, small molecule Mpro (3CL protease) inhibitor that can be used without ritonavir, potentially avoiding drug-drug interactions and expanding patient eligibility [7][10]. - Preclinical and Phase 1 studies indicate that ratutrelvir maintains therapeutic blood levels significantly above the effective concentration (EC50) and does not require a metabolism inhibitor [5][7]. Clinical Data - Data from Phase 1 studies demonstrate excellent safety and tolerability for ratutrelvir, with a selected Phase 2 dosing regimen of 600 mg/day for 10 days showing promising pharmacokinetics [6][7]. - Laboratory studies confirm that ratutrelvir effectively suppresses replication of various SARS-CoV-2 strains, including Omicron variants, and maintains blood plasma levels above the EC90 [5][6]. Future Plans - Traws Pharma is preparing to engage with the FDA to discuss the path forward for ratutrelvir and plans to initiate Phase 2 studies [4][6]. - An Investor Event is scheduled for March 31, 2025, to present an overview of preclinical and human data on ratutrelvir [4][6].

Core Insights - Traws Pharma announced positive topline results from studies on tivoxavir marboxil, showing its efficacy in treating H5N1 bird flu in ferrets, consistent with previous murine model results [1][2][3] - The company is conducting further studies in non-human primates, with data expected in Q1 2025, and plans to approach the FDA for accelerated approval under the "Animal Rule" [2][3] Company Overview - Traws Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing oral small molecule therapies for respiratory viral diseases, including bird flu and seasonal influenza [6] - The company is developing two drug candidates: tivoxavir marboxil for bird flu and seasonal influenza, and ratutrelvir for COVID-19 treatment [6] Product Details - Tivoxavir marboxil is designed to inhibit the influenza protein CAP-dependent endonuclease (CEN) and has shown potent in vitro activity against various influenza strains, including H5N1 [5] - The antiviral market for bird flu and seasonal influenza is estimated to represent a multi-billion dollar opportunity, driven by global health organizations and government tenders [5]