Zentek Provides a Preliminary Update on Influenza Countermeasure Candidate Developed Using the Multivalent Aptamer Technology against H1N1 (Seasonal Influenza)
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) has announced promising preliminary results from its first in vivo tests of an influenza countermeasure candidate using multivalent aptamer technology. The testing, conducted at McMaster University, showed that animals treated with the aptamer lead candidate demonstrated 5x greater survival rates and 80% less weight loss compared to the control group.
The project, supported by a $1.1 million grant from the Government of Canada's Innovative Solutions Canada Testing Stream, aims to develop both prophylactic and therapeutic countermeasures for seasonal influenza (H1N1) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). The aptamer countermeasure has shown strong binding affinities for multiple influenza strains (H1, H5, H2, and H3) and demonstrated effective neutralization against H1N1 and H5N1 in vitro.
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) ha annunciato risultati preliminari promettenti dai suoi primi test in vivo di un candidato contro l'influenza basato su tecnologia aptamer multivalente. I test, condotti presso l'Università McMaster, hanno mostrato che gli animali trattati con il candidato leader aptamero hanno dimostrato una sopravvivenza fino a 5 volte maggiore e una perdita di peso dell'80% inferiore rispetto al gruppo di controllo.
Il progetto, supportato da una borsa di 1,1 milioni di dollari dal Government of Canada Innovative Solutions Canada Testing Stream, mira a sviluppare contromisure sia preventive che terapeutiche per l'influenza stagionale (H1N1) e per l'influenza aviaria altamente patogena (H5N1). L'antocorpo aptamer si è dimostrato avere forti affinità di legame per molteplici ceppi influenzali (H1, H5, H2 e H3) e ha dimostrato una neutralizzazione efficace contro H1N1 e H5N1 in vitro.
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) ha anunciado resultados preliminares prometedores de sus primeros ensayos in vivo de un candidato de contramedida contra la influenza utilizando tecnología de aptámeros multivalentes. Las pruebas, realizadas en la Universidad McMaster, mostraron que los animales tratados con el candidato líder de aptámeros presentaron una tasa de supervivencia 5 veces mayor y una pérdida de peso un 80% menor que el grupo de control.
El proyecto, apoyado por una subvención de 1,1 millones de dólares del Innovative Solutions Canada Testing Stream del Gobierno de Canadá, tiene como objetivo desarrollar contramedidas tanto preventivas como terapéuticas para la influenza estacional (H1N1) y la gripe aviaria altamente patógena (H5N1). La contramedida basada en aptámeros ha mostrado fuertes afinidades de unión para múltiples cepas de influenza (H1, H5, H2 y H3) y ha demostrado neutralización efectiva contra H1N1 y H5N1 in vitro.
Zentek(NASDAQ:ZTEK)은 다중가 aptamer 기술을 이용한 인플루엔자 대비책 후보에 대한 동물실험의 첫 단계 예비 결과를 발표했다. 맥마스터 대학교에서 수행된 시험에서, aptamer 선도 후보로 치료받은 동물은 대조군에 비해 생존률이 5배 높고 체중 감소가 80% 작았다는 것을 보여주었다.
이 프로젝트는 캐나다 정부의 Innovative Solutions Canada Testing Stream으로부터 110만 달러의 보조금으로 지원되며, 계절성 인플루엔자(H1N1)와 고병원성 조류인플루엔자(H5N1)에 대한 예방 및 치료 대책을 개발하는 것을 목표로 한다. aptamer 대책은 여러 인플루엔자 균주(H1, H5, H2, H3)에 강한 결합 친화성을 보였고, 시험관 내에서 H1N1과 H5N1에 대한 중화 효과를 보여주었다.
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) a annoncé des résultats préliminaires prometteurs de ses premiers essais in vivo d'un candidat contre la grippe utilisant une technologie d'apta-mères multivalentes. Les essais, réalisés à l'Université McMaster, ont montré que les animaux traités avec le candidat leader d'apta-mère présentaient des taux de survie 5 fois supérieurs et une perte de poids réduite de 80% par rapport au groupe témoin.
Le projet, soutenu par une subvention de 1,1 million de dollars du Government of Canada Innovative Solutions Canada Testing Stream, vise à développer des contre-mesures prophylactiques et thérapeutiques contre la grippe saisonnière (H1N1) et la grippe aviaire hautement pathogène (H5N1). La contre-mesure à base d'aptamères a montré de fortes affinités de liaison pour plusieurs souches de grippe (H1, H5, H2 et H3) et a démontré une neutralisation efficace in vitro contre H1N1 et H5N1.
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) hat vielversprechende vorläufige Ergebnisse aus seinen ersten In-vivo-Tests eines Influenza-Kontermaßes mittels multivalenter Aptamer-Technologie bekannt gegeben. Die Tests, die an der McMaster University durchgeführt wurden, zeigten, dass mit dem Aptamer-Kandidaten behandelte Tiere eine um das Fünffache höhere Überlebensrate und 80% weniger Gewichtsverlust im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe aufwiesen.
Das von der kanadischen Regierung durch das Innovative Solutions Canada Testing Stream mit 1,1 Mio. USD unterstützte Projekt zielt darauf ab, sowohl prophylaktische als auch therapeutische Gegenmaßnahmen gegen saisonale Grippe (H1N1) und hochpathogene aviäre Grippe (H5N1) zu entwickeln. Die Aptamer-Kontermaßnahme zeigte starke Bindungsaffinitäten gegenüber mehreren Influenzastämmen (H1, H5, H2 und H3) und zeigte in vitro eine effektive Neutralisierung gegen H1N1 und H5N1.
Zentek (Nasdaq: ZTEK) أعلنت عن نتائج أولية واعدة من أول اختباراتها الحية باستخدام تكنولوجيا aptamer متعددة القيم كعلاج مضاد للإنفلونزا. أجريت الاختبارات في جامعة ماكمستر، وأظهرت أن الحيوانات المعالجة بالمرشح الرائد من aptamer أظهرت معدلات بقاء أعلى بخمس مرات و فقدان وزن أقل بنسبة 80% مقارنةً بعينة الضبط.
المشروع، المدعوم من منحة قدرها 1.1 مليون دولار من برنامج Innovative Solutions Canada Testing Stream التابع لحكومة كندا، يهدف إلى تطوير تدابير وقائية وعلاجات للإنفلونزا الموسمية (H1N1) والإنفلونزا الطيور شديدة العدوى (H5N1). أظهرت مضاد aptamer قدرة ارتباط قوية بسلاسل الإنفلونزا المتعددة (H1 وH5 وH2 وH3) وأظهرت تحييداً فعالاً ضد H1N1 وH5N1 في المختبر.
Zentek（纳斯达克股票代码：ZTEK）宣布其首批利用多价aptamer技术的流感对策候选物的体内在 vivo 测试初步结果显示良好。该研究在麦克马斯特大学进行，使用该aptamer领先候选物治疗的动物相比对照组表现出生存率提高5倍和体重下降减少80%。
该项目得到加拿大政府创新解决方案加拿大测试流（Innovative Solutions Canada Testing Stream）提供的110万美元的资助，目标是开发针对季节性流感（H1N1）和高病原性禽流感（H5N1）的预防性和治疗性对策。aptamer对策对多种流感株（H1、H5、H2、H3）均显示出较强的结合亲和力，并在体外对H1N1和H5N1表现出有效中和作用。
- Successful preliminary in vivo testing with 5x greater survival rates in treated animals
- Secured $1.1 million government funding for development and testing
- Demonstrated broad effectiveness against multiple influenza strains
- Potential dual application for both seasonal and pandemic influenza
- Additional comprehensive testing still required
- Early-stage development with no guarantee of final approval
- Timeline for potential commercialization not yet defined
Insights
Zentek's influenza aptamer shows strong early-stage animal test results with 80% survival rate vs 20% in controls, advancing toward broader applications.
Zentek has achieved a significant milestone in its development of an influenza countermeasure based on multivalent aptamer technology. The preliminary in vivo tests in mice demonstrated substantial efficacy against H1N1 (seasonal influenza), with treated animals showing 5x greater survival rates (80% vs 20% in control group), 80% less weight loss, and faster recovery times compared to untreated controls.
What makes this development particularly promising is the broad-spectrum potential of the aptamer technology. The countermeasure was designed to recognize multiple influenza hemagglutinin proteins, showing strong binding affinities for H1, H5, H2, and H3 strains, with demonstrated in vitro neutralization against both H1N1 and H5N1. This suggests potential applications beyond seasonal flu to address highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The technology was developed through a
From a scientific perspective, the mechanism utilizing aptamers (synthetic single-stranded DNA or RNA molecules that can bind to specific targets) represents an innovative approach to viral neutralization. The prophylactic administration two hours before viral challenge suggests potential preventative applications, though the release also mentions improved formulation and administration schedules being developed for future testing.
The next critical phase will involve more comprehensive testing against both H1N1 and H5N1, scheduled to begin within weeks. This will determine whether the promising early results translate to broader applications and stronger evidence of efficacy, particularly for therapeutic (rather than just prophylactic) use against highly pathogenic strains.
GUELPH, ONTARIO / ACCESS Newswire / September 18, 2025 / Zentek Ltd. ("Zentek" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:ZTEK)(TSX-V:ZEN), is pleased to announce that it has completed the first in vivo tests of the lead candidate countermeasure for seasonal influenza (H1N1) as part of the Innovative Solutions Canada Testing Stream.
Highlights:
Zentek was awarded approximately
$1.1 million through the Government of Canada's Innovative Solutions Canada ("ISC") Testing Stream under Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada ("ISED") for Health: Advanced And Emerging Medical Technologies.Government of Canada testing partners include ISED's Health and Emergency Preparedness Canada ("HERC") and Defence Research and Development Canada ("DRDC"), the science and technology organization of the Department of National Defence ("DND").
On April 23, 2025, Zentek announced in a market update that it had developed a lead candidate for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1), with potential efficacy across other influenza strains.
Testing of the lead candidate in vivo (mouse model) was facilitated by NexusHealth at McMaster University under the supervision of Dr. Matthew Miller.
Animals given the aptamer lead candidate prophylactically had substantially improved clinical scores, 5x greater survival rates,
80% less weight loss 5 days post-infection, and decreased recovery times compared to the control group.
Zentek is pleased to report successful preliminary testing of a lead influenza aptamer countermeasure in an animal model. The aptamer countermeasure was developed for a Government of Canada contract through an ISC Testing Stream to develop a prophylactic and therapeutic lead candidate countermeasure for HPAI (H5N1). The countermeasure was produced using Zentek's successful multi-valent aptamer strategy developed by Dr. Yingfu Li's research group at McMaster University.
The aptamer countermeasure was selected and optimized for broad recognition of influenza hemagglutinin proteins with strong binding affinities for H1, H5, H2 and H3 and has shown to have strong neutralization against H1N1 and H5N1 when tested in vitro.
After successfully selecting a countermeasure in Phase 1 of the ISC Testing Stream contract, the program entered Phase 2 for the assessment of the performance of the aptamer countermeasure in in vivo models.
In the first in vivo test, animals were given a 150 µM prophylactic dose of either vehicle or the aptamer lead candidate two hours prior to a lethal challenge with A(H1N1)pdm09. Animals that were part of the control group experienced earlier and more severe clinical signs of infection than mice treated with the aptamer countermeasure. By day 7, 4 out of 5 mice (
Following up on these encouraging results, researchers have improved the formulation and administration schedule of the treatment and have prepared materials for more comprehensive testing of the lead candidate's performance against H1N1 and H5N1, which is scheduled to begin in a few weeks.
"We are very encouraged by these preliminary results," said John Snisarenko B.Sc. MBA, Board member of Zentek with an extensive background in the U.S. and Canadian pharmaceutical and biotech industry, "Animals treated with the aptamer lead candidate showed substantially improved clinical scores, increased survivability by 5X and allowed for a rapid recovery from infection."
Dr. Matthew Miller noted: "We are very encouraged by the fact that this lead aptamer countermeasure has shown activity against seasonal influenza viruses. Seasonal influenza effects over a billion people per year, and so there is a clear and immediate commercial need for this type of intervention. We are optimistic that our testing will also reveal therapeutic activity against highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 - which would result in a product with both seasonal and pandemic applications."
About Zentek Ltd.
Zentek is an ISO 13485:2016 certified intellectual property technology company focused on the research, development and commercialization of novel products seeking to give the Company's commercial partners a competitive advantage by making their products better, safer, and greener.
Zentek's patented technology platform ZenGUARD™, is shown to significantly increase the bacterial and viral filtration efficiency of surgical masks and aims to do the same with HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system) filters. Zentek's ZenGUARD™ production facility is in Guelph, Ontario.
Zentek, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Triera Biosciences Ltd., has a worldwide exclusive license to the aptamer-based platform technology developed by McMaster University, which is being jointly developed by Zentek and McMaster for both the diagnostic and therapeutic markets.
The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its aptamer technology has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 disease (or the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus) or H1N1 (Seasonal Influenza) at this time.
About Triera Biosciences Ltd.
Triera holds an exclusive, worldwide royalty bearing license from McMaster University to use and practice all aptamer and DNAzyme uses developed through the collaboration with the Li Lab by McMaster University for the next 20 years. Triera and McMaster's combined expertise and capabilities in aptamer technology offer significant potential to reduce the cost and time required for the development of new treatments.
For further information contact:
Dr. Colin van der Kuur
Chief Science Officer
Email: cvanderkuur@triera.ca
Phone: 778-808-6424
To find out more about Zentek, please visit our website at www.Zentek.com. A copy of this news release and all material documents in respect of the Company may be obtained on Zentek's SEDAR+ profile at http://www.sedarplus.ca/.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although Zentek believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Zentek disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE: Zentek Ltd.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
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