Armata Pharmaceuticals Announces Structural Biology Publication in the Journal of Molecular Biology

Rhea-AI Summary

Armata Pharmaceuticals (NYSE American: ARMP) announced the publication of a research paper in the Journal of Molecular Biology detailing the structural analysis of phage Pa223, a component of their clinical candidate AP-PA02. The study provides the first structural description of a phage from the Bruynoghevirus genus using advanced cryogenic electron microscopy.

AP-PA02, a five-phage cocktail, is being developed to treat chronic respiratory infections in cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) patients. The therapeutic has demonstrated promising results in two Phase 2 clinical trials - SWARM-P.a. and Tailwind. The structural insights gained from this research may inform future development of phage-based therapeutics.

Positive

• AP-PA02 has shown promising results in two Phase 2 clinical trials
• Pa223 phage demonstrates broad host range and high lytic activity against both planktonic and biofilm-associated bacteria
• Research breakthrough provides valuable structural insights for future phage therapy development

Negative

• None.

Describes the structure of phage Pa223, which is included in Armata's multi-phage anti-Pseudomonas clinical candidate, AP-PA02

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE American: ARMP) ("Armata" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of high-purity, pathogen-specific bacteriophage therapeutics for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant and difficult-to-treat bacterial infections, today announced a paper in the Journal of Molecular Biology (JMB).

The publication, titled, "High-resolution Cryo-EM Analysis of the Therapeutic Pseudomonas Phage Pa223," describes the structure of phage Pa223, which is included in Armata's five-phage clinical cocktail, AP-PA02. Armata is developing AP-PA02 as a potential treatment for chronic respiratory infections in people with cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB). AP-PA02 has shown promising results in two Phase 2 clinical trials to date - SWARM-P.a. and Tailwind.

"The ability to collaborate with brilliant bench scientists and clinical partners simultaneously at universities and medical centers is critically important," stated Dr. Deborah Birx, Chief Executive Officer of Armata, and co-author of the paper. "With this latest scientific research, we further advanced our collective understanding of fundamental phage biology, specifically, how structural characteristics may impact clinical utility against a dangerous bacterial pathogen. This groundbreaking structural analysis may be beneficial in informing future development plans to bring further innovation to patients suffering from serious bacterial infections."   

Dr. Gino Cingolani, Anderson Family Endowed Chair in Medical Education, Research & Patient Care and Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, and senior author of the paper, stated, "Breakthrough advances in cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), bioinformatics, and proteomics have allowed us to gain an understanding of phage structure and composition at near atomic resolution like never before. In this study, we provide the first structural description of a phage from the Bruynoghevirus genus, in this case Pa223, which has been utilized in experimental phage therapy. Phages like Pa223 are valuable due to their broad host range and high lytic activity against both planktonic and biofilm-associated bacteria. Leveraging cryogenic electron microscopy, we developed a high-resolution structural atlas of Pa223 and identified several aspects of its biology that may have potential applications for other phages used in clinical cocktails. These learnings have the potential to accelerate the development of phage-based therapeutics for a broad range of clinical uses."

The full paper can be found here.

About Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Armata is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the development of high-purity pathogen-specific bacteriophage therapeutics for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant and difficult-to-treat bacterial infections using its proprietary bacteriophage-based technology. Armata is developing and advancing a broad pipeline of natural and synthetic phage candidates, including clinical candidates for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and other important pathogens. Armata is committed to advancing phage therapy with drug development expertise that spans bench to clinic including in-house phage-specific current Good Manufacturing Practices ("cGMP") manufacturing to support full commercialization.

Forward Looking Statements
This communication contains "forward-looking" statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events, results or to Armata's future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause Armata's actual results, performance or events to be materially different from any future results, performance or events expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would" or the negative of those terms, and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect management's beliefs and views with respect to future events and are based on estimates and assumptions as of the date of this communication and are subject to risks and uncertainties including risks related to Armata's development of bacteriophage-based therapies; ability to staff and maintain its production facilities under fully compliant cGMP; ability to meet anticipated milestones in the development and testing of the relevant product; ability to be a leader in the development of phage-based therapeutics; ability to achieve its vision, including improvements through engineering and success of clinical trials; ability to successfully complete preclinical and clinical development of, and obtain regulatory approval of its product candidates and commercialize any approved products on its expected timeframes or at all; and Armata's estimates regarding anticipated operating losses, capital requirements and needs for additional funds. Additional risks and uncertainties relating to Armata and its business can be found under the caption "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Armata's filings and reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including in Armata's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 21, 2025, and in its subsequent filings with the SEC.

Armata expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Armata's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based. 

Media Contacts:

At Armata:

Pierre Kyme
ir@armatapharma.com
310-665-2928

Investor Relations:

Joyce Allaire
LifeSci Advisors, LLC
jallaire@lifesciadvisors.com
212-915-2569

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SOURCE Armata Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of Armata's (ARMP) new publication in the Journal of Molecular Biology?

The publication reveals the first structural description of phage Pa223 from the Bruynoghevirus genus using cryo-EM technology, providing valuable insights for phage-based therapeutics development.

What is Armata Pharmaceuticals' AP-PA02 being developed for?

AP-PA02 is being developed as a treatment for chronic respiratory infections in patients with cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB).

How many phages are included in Armata's AP-PA02 clinical cocktail?

AP-PA02 is a five-phage clinical cocktail that includes phage Pa223.

What clinical trials has Armata's AP-PA02 completed?

AP-PA02 has shown promising results in two Phase 2 clinical trials: SWARM-P.a. and Tailwind.

What are the key characteristics of the Pa223 phage in Armata's therapeutic?

Pa223 is valuable for its broad host range and high lytic activity against both planktonic and biofilm-associated bacteria.