VIRPAX PHARMS (VRPX) Stock Price, News & Analysis

Virpax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRPX) is a preclinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing novel and proprietary drug delivery systems across various pain indications and central nervous system (CNS) disorders. According to the company, its pipeline centers on non-opioid, non-addictive pain management and related therapies, with the goal of enhancing patient compliance and optimizing each product candidate through specialized delivery technologies.

Virpax describes itself as a company specializing in developing non-addictive products for pain management, post-traumatic stress disorder, CNS disorders and anti-viral barrier indications. Its shares of common stock trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol VRPX.

Business focus and technology platforms

Virpax is developing branded prescription and nonprescription product candidates that use proprietary drug-delivery and drug-releasing technologies to optimize and target drug delivery. The company states that its systems are being developed to advance non-opioid and non-addictive pain treatments and treatments for CNS disorders.

Virpax highlights two patented drug delivery platforms that underpin its initial prescription drug candidates, as well as an intranasal Molecular Envelope Technology (MET) used in several pipeline programs. The company also reports cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) with U.S. government entities for certain product candidates.

Key prescription product candidates

Virpax reports that it is initially seeking U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for two prescription drug candidates that employ different patented delivery platforms:

• Probudur™ – described as a single-injection, long-acting liposomal bupivacaine formulation injected at a wound site to provide both immediate and extended pain relief. Probudur is being developed to manage post-operative pain, with the stated overall goal of safe and effective perioperative pain control and a significant reduction or elimination of the need for opioids after surgery in approved indications. The company reports preclinical data in animal models indicating long-duration pain control and slow release of bupivacaine over several days.
• Envelta™ / NES100 – described as an intranasal molecular envelope enkephalin formulation based on a nanotechnology delivery approach. It is being developed to manage acute and chronic pain, including pain associated with cancer. According to Virpax, Envelta uses Molecular Envelope Technology designed to protect and help carry the drug to the brain with the goal of promptly suppressing pain by binding to delta opioid receptors. In animal models, Envelta has demonstrated analgesic potential without the development of opioid tolerance, withdrawal, respiratory depression, euphoria, addiction, or reward-seeking behavior.

Virpax states that Envelta (NES100) is being developed under a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), an institute/center of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Intranasal Molecular Envelope Technology (MET) programs

The company reports that it uses its intranasal Molecular Envelope Technology (MET) in multiple programs aimed at delivering therapeutics to the brain via the olfactory pathway:

• NobrXiol™ (VRP324) – a prescription product candidate being developed for the nasal delivery of pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol (CBD) for the management of rare pediatric epilepsy. Virpax states that NobrXiol utilizes MET as its delivery system to cross the blood-brain barrier, propelling cannabidiol nanoparticles through the nose to the brain via the olfactory nerve. The company reports that NobrXiol has received pre-Investigational New Drug (pre-IND or PIND) application guidance from the U.S. FDA.
• NES100 – Virpax notes that NES100, its intranasal enkephalin product, uses a preassembled device and cartridge to propel the formulation through the nose to the brain by flowing along the olfactory nerve pathway, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. The MET is described as designed to protect and help carry the drug to the brain.

Virpax also reports that it is looking to use MET or a similar technology to deliver an mRNA COVID vaccine via intranasal administration. The company states that it aims to explore intranasal vaccine delivery using a non-lipid polymer approach, and notes that it currently uses MET for Envelta (NES100) and NobrXiol.

Nonprescription product candidates

In addition to its prescription pipeline, Virpax states that it is seeking partners for two nonprescription product candidates:

• AnQlar – described as a product candidate being developed to inhibit viral replication caused by influenza or SARS-CoV-2.
• Epoladerm™ – described as a topical diclofenac spray film formulation being developed to manage pain associated with osteoarthritis.

These nonprescription candidates are positioned by the company as part of its broader focus on anti-viral barrier indications and non-opioid pain management.

Collaborations and research agreements

Virpax reports that it has competitive CRADAs for two of its prescription drug candidates: one with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and one with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). The company notes, for example, that the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR), a DOD research organization, has conducted studies evaluating Probudur in animal models of incisional pain under an existing CRADA.

The company also highlights work by Nanomerics Ltd, which developed the MET used in certain Virpax programs. Virpax notes that a human study using MET-based eye drops reported no moderate or severe adverse events, and that Virpax uses MET in Envelta (NES100) and NobrXiol.

Capital markets and stock information

Virpax states that it is a preclinical-stage pharmaceutical company and that it raises capital to fund development activities. The company has announced public offerings of common stock and pre-funded warrants, with stated uses of proceeds including funding ongoing development activities for commencing clinical trials for Probudur, marketing and advertising services to communicate information about the company to the financial community, and working capital and general corporate purposes.

The company has also announced a reverse stock split of its common stock, with the intent, as stated, to help meet the minimum bid price requirement for maintaining its listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market and to make the bid price more attractive to a broader group of institutional and retail investors. Virpax notes that its common stock continues to trade on Nasdaq under the symbol VRPX.

Research and development emphasis

Across its communications, Virpax emphasizes:

• Development of non-opioid and non-addictive pain management treatments.
• Use of proprietary drug delivery technologies, including liposomal formulations and intranasal MET-based systems.
• Focus on CNS disorders, including pain and epilepsy, and anti-viral barrier indications.
• Preclinical and early-stage studies in animal models and, through collaborators, human safety studies of MET-based technologies.

According to the company, its goal is to enhance patients’ quality of life by improving drug delivery, targeting, and duration of effect in pain and CNS indications.