Tivic Health Secures BARDA Meeting to Advance Entolimod for Acute Radiation Syndrome
Key Insights
Tivic Health Systems has secured an exclusive Techwatch meeting with BARDA (search)'s Radiological and Nuclear Medical Countermeasures Program to present clinical data on Entolimod for acute radiation syndrome.
Entolimod, a novel TLR5 (search) agonist, has demonstrated robust survival benefits and enhanced recovery in animal models when administered after radiation exposure, with FDA Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations.
The meeting will focus on development pathways for potential mass-casualty deployment and government stockpiling, supporting Tivic's strategy for federal partnership or acquisition opportunities.
Tivic Health Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:TIVC) announced it has secured an exclusive Techwatch meeting with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA (search))'s Radiological and Nuclear Medical Countermeasures Program staff to advance its lead drug candidate Entolimod for acute radiation syndrome (ARS).
The late-stage therapeutics company will present clinical data on Entolimod's effects on radiation-induced injury and acute radiation syndrome, along with progress on manufacturing readiness and preparations for a biologics license application (BLA). The Techwatch format enables technical information exchange between Tivic and BARDA (search) staff to establish program priorities and discuss development pathways for potential deployment in mass-casualty, stockpile, and field situations.
Novel Mechanism Shows Promise in Radiation Protection
Entolimod is a novel TLR5 (search) agonist that triggers NF-kB (search) signaling, activating anti-apoptotic and cell protective mechanisms. Under the FDA's Animal Rule, the drug candidate has undergone extensive trials demonstrating robust survival, enhanced gastrointestinal tract recovery, and improved hematopoiesis in animal models when administered after exposure to ionizing radiation.
Clinical studies also suggest Entolimod may serve as a radioprotective agent for prophylactic use prior to radiation exposure to reduce damage. The drug has been granted Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations by the FDA, reflecting its potential to address an unmet medical need in radiation emergency preparedness.
Strategic Government Partnership Pathway
"This interaction supports Tivic's strategy to develop high-value therapeutic assets with potential government partnership or acquisition pathways," said Jennifer Ernst, CEO of Tivic Health. "We believe our focus on radiation injury and host-directed countermeasures positions us well in a space with defined federal demand and long-term strategic relevance."
The BARDA (search) evaluation process allows the agency to assess technology readiness, understand manufacturing and approval requirements, and identify potential pathways to funding and purchasing. BARDA operates within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop, procure, and stockpile medical countermeasures addressing chemical, biologic, radiologic, and nuclear public health threats.
Broader Pipeline Development
Beyond acute radiation syndrome, Tivic holds rights to Entolimod for neutropenia treatment and to Entolasta (search), an immunologically optimized variant of Entolimod for chronic applications. The company's mission focuses on harnessing the immune system to improve clinical outcomes through biologics compounds that activate innate immune pathways to prevent cell death in bone marrow and epithelial tissues across systems impacted by radiation and age.
Tivic also maintains a bioelectronic program developing a non-invasive medical device targeting neural pathways implicated in prevalent diseases, with early trials showing promising signals for vagus nerve stimulation applications.