Appili Therapeutics to Present Progress on Tularemia Biodefense Vaccine at NATO CBRN Conference

Rhea-AI Summary

Appili Therapeutics (OTC:APLIF) announced its participation in the NATO Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Conference in Switzerland. Dr. Carl Gelhaus, Director of Non-Clinical Research, will present updates on ATI-1701, the company's first-in-class vaccine candidate for tularemia prevention.

The presentation will highlight preclinical data for ATI-1701, which is being developed with support from the U.S. Air Force Academy. The vaccine aims to address a critical gap in NATO's biodefense capabilities against Francisella tularensis, a highly infectious pathogen considered a top-priority biothreat. Currently, NATO forces lack specialized tularemia vaccines that are available to adversarial militaries.

Appili Non-Clinical Director to join NATO and allied representatives and present ATI-1701 biodefense vaccine as a potential solution to the tularemia threat

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Sept. 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Appili Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: APLI; OTCPink: APLIF) (the “Company” or “Appili”), a biopharmaceutical company focused on drug development for infectious diseases and biodefense, today announced that Carl Gelhaus, Ph.D., Director of Non-Clinical Research, will participate in the NATO Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (“CBRN”) Conference, taking place September 8–10, 2025, in Switzerland.

Dr. Gelhaus will join NATO and allied representatives and present an update on Appili’s biodefense vaccine program, highlighting ATI-1701, the company’s potential first-in-class vaccine candidate designed to prevent infection by Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia. The presentation will offer an in-depth overview of the tularemia threat to military and civilian populations and underscore the potential of ATI-1701 to address this critical gap in biodefense preparedness.

“Tularemia remains a significant biological threat to NATO and allied forces, with adversarial militaries having access to specialized tularemia vaccines that NATO currently lacks. This strategic gap underscores an urgent need for enhanced protective measures and vaccine development within NATO operations,” said Appili’s Dr. Gelhaus. “We are encouraged by the strong support from the U.S. Air Force Academy (“USAFA”) for ATI-1701 and remain dedicated to advancing this critical vaccine candidate in collaboration with government agencies, with the goal of making ATI-1701 the first U.S. FDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of tularemia.”

The presentation will highlight preclinical data and ongoing development of ATI-1701, which has been supported in part by a cooperative agreement award from the USAFA.

Francisella tularensis is a highly infectious pathogen capable of causing severe illness and death and is designated a top-priority biothreat. Medical countermeasures against this agent remain a key biodefense priority for the United States and governments around the world.

Presentation details are as follows:

Title: ATI-1701, a Live Attenuated Tularemia Vaccine: Applications for the Warfighter
Date: September 9, 2025
Time: 5:35 PM Central European Summer Time

Dr. Gelhaus will also be conducting in-person meetings throughout the conference. To request a meeting, please contact the Company at info@appilitherapeutics.com.

About ATI-1701 
ATI-1701 is a novel, live-attenuated vaccine for F. tularensis, a Category A pathogen which causes tularemia. F. tularensis can be aerosolized and is over 1,000 times more infectious than anthrax. Since it is a highly infectious pathogen capable of causing severe illness, medical countermeasures for F. tularensis are a top biodefense priority for the United States and governments around the world. There is currently no approved vaccine for the prevention of tularemia in the United States or other major global markets.

About Appili Therapeutics 
Appili Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company that is purposefully built, portfolio-driven, and people-focused to fulfill its mission of solving life-threatening infections. By systematically identifying urgent infections with unmet needs, Appili’s goal is to strategically develop a pipeline of novel therapies to prevent deaths and improve lives. The Company is currently advancing a diverse range of anti-infectives, including an FDA-approved ready-made suspension of metronidazole for the treatment of antimicrobial resistant infections, a vaccine candidate to prevent tularemia, a serious biological weapon threat, and a topical antiparasitic for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis, a disfiguring disease. Led by a proven management team, Appili is at the center of the global fight against infection. For more information, visit www.AppiliTherapeutics.com 

Media Contact:
Jenna McNeil, Communications Manager
Appili Therapeutics
E: JMcNeil@AppiliTherapeutics.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Don Cilla, President and CEO
Appili Therapeutics
E: Info@AppiliTherapeutics.com

FAQ

When is Appili Therapeutics (APLIF) presenting at the NATO CBRN Conference?

Appili Therapeutics is presenting on September 9, 2025 at 5:35 PM Central European Summer Time in Switzerland.

What is ATI-1701 and what is it designed for?

ATI-1701 is a first-in-class vaccine candidate designed to prevent infection by Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of tularemia, a top-priority biothreat.

Who is supporting Appili's ATI-1701 vaccine development?

The development of ATI-1701 is supported in part by a cooperative agreement award from the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA).

Why is Appili's tularemia vaccine important for NATO?

The vaccine addresses a critical strategic gap in NATO's biodefense capabilities, as adversarial militaries currently have access to specialized tularemia vaccines while NATO forces do not.

What is the current status of ATI-1701's development?

ATI-1701 is in preclinical development, aiming to become the first FDA-approved vaccine for tularemia prevention.