AIM ImmunoTech Highlights Start of Recruitment in Roswell Park Clinical Trial Incorporating Ampligen in the Treatment of Cancer Patients with Mild or Moderate COVID-19

Rhea-AI Summary

AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE American:AIM) announced the start of recruitment for a Phase 1/2a clinical trial at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. The trial investigates the use of rintatolimod (Ampligen) combined with interferon alpha-2b for cancer patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. This study aims to leverage 20 years of cancer immunotherapy research to engage the innate immune system against SARS-CoV-2 and other RNA viruses. The trial is funded with support from the National Cancer Institute and AIM.

Positive

• Initiation of Phase 1/2a clinical trial for rintatolimod combined with interferon alpha-2b.
• Potential to limit SARS-CoV-2 replication and improve outcomes for high-risk COVID-19 patients.
• Funding support from National Cancer Institute indicates endorsement of research.

Negative

• None.

OCALA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 16, 2020 / AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE American:AIM) today announced that recruitment has begun in Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center's Phase 1/2a clinical study of the effectiveness of rintatolimod (Ampligen) in combination with interferon alpha-2b in treating cancer patients with mild or moderate COVID-19 infection, which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Roswell Park has reported through the national clinical-trials database ClinicalTrials.gov that recruitment is underway for the study, which is led by two senior leaders at the Buffalo, N.Y., cancer center: Brahm Segal, MD, and Pawel Kalinski, MD, PhD.

The study team describes their approach this way, as reported at ClinicalTrials.gov: "Interferon alpha is a protein important for defense against viruses. It activates immune responses that help to clear viral infection. Rintatolimod is double stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) designed to mimic viral infection by stimulating immune pathways that are normally activated during viral infection. Giving rintatolimod and interferon alpha-2b may activate the immune system to limit the replication and spread of the virus."

Approximately 6.4 million people in the United States have been infected with COVID-19 and more than 190,000 have died.

"This trial reflects our ability to apply unique insights developed over the course of 20 years of work in cancer immunotherapy toward new strategies of engaging the innate immune system against virally mediated diseases," said Dr. Kalinski, scientific lead on the study and principal architect of this strategy as a treatment for both cancer and COVID-19. "Although this trial focuses on the treatment of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, it is our hope that our findings may also have relevance for treatment of other RNA viruses, including such common pathogens as influenza, HIV and several oncogenic viruses."

"Reducing replication of the virus may lead to less severe illness among patients at high risk for COVID-19 complications," added Dr. Segal, who is Chair of Internal Medicine and Chief of Infectious Diseases at Roswell Park, and clinical lead on this study.

Funding for the Roswell Park clinical trial is provided, in part, through grants from the National Cancer Institute and AIM, as well as institutional support from Roswell Park.

For more information about this study, including eligibility criteria, please contact Roswell Park by phone at 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or by e-mail to askroswell@Roswellpark.org.

About AIM ImmunoTech Inc.

AIM ImmunoTech Inc. is an immuno-pharma company focused on the research and development of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancers, immune disorders and viral diseases, including COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Contacts:

Crescendo Communications, LLC
Phone: 212-671-1021
Email: aim@crescendo-ir.com

AIM ImmunoTech Inc
Phone: 800-778-4042
Email: IR@aimimmuno.com

SOURCE: AIM ImmunoTech Inc.

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https://www.accesswire.com/606236/AIM-ImmunoTech-Highlights-Start-of-Recruitment-in-Roswell-Park-Clinical-Trial-Incorporating-Ampligen-in-the-Treatment-of-Cancer-Patients-with-Mild-or-Moderate-COVID-19

FAQ

What is the focus of AIM ImmunoTech's recent clinical trial?

The recent clinical trial focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of rintatolimod (Ampligen) in combination with interferon alpha-2b for treating cancer patients with mild or moderate COVID-19.

Where is the clinical trial for AIM ImmunoTech being conducted?

The clinical trial is being conducted at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

What are the potential benefits of the clinical trial's treatment method?

The treatment may help reduce the replication of SARS-CoV-2, potentially leading to less severe illness in patients at high risk for complications.

Who is leading the clinical trial at Roswell Park?

The trial is led by Dr. Brahm Segal and Dr. Pawel Kalinski at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

What is the significance of the trial for other viral diseases?

While the trial focuses on COVID-19, findings may also benefit the treatment of other RNA viruses such as influenza and HIV.