ENA Respiratory Secures A$2.98M to Test Antiviral Nasal Spray in Asthma
Synopsis
ENA Respiratory has secured A$2.98 million in government-backed funding to test its once-weekly antiviral nasal spray INNA-051 in adults with asthma, expanding clinical development of the treatment against multiple respiratory viruses.
Melbourne-based biotech ENA Respiratory has secured A$2.98 million from Biointelect Venturer to advance clinical testing of its antiviral nasal spray INNA-051 in adults with asthma, opening a new stage for the company’s broad-spectrum approach to respiratory infections.
The non-dilutive funding will support a Phase Ib Australian study expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
The randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will assess the treatment’s safety, tolerability and how the drug behaves in adults with asthma.
Targeting Viruses at the Point of Entry
INNA-051 is being developed as a once-weekly dry-powder nasal spray designed to prime the body’s natural antiviral defences in the nasal passages, where many respiratory viruses first enter and replicate.
Rather than targeting a single pathogen, the treatment is described as virus-agnostic, with potential applications against infections including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus and coronaviruses. ENA says earlier clinical studies have demonstrated a favourable safety profile, while a Phase IIa influenza-challenge study showed accelerated virus clearance and stimulation of antiviral immune responses.
The company is also running a Phase II community study in the US involving young adults at increased risk of respiratory infections because they live or work in crowded environments. The first stage of that study was completed in May 2026.
Government Support Expands Clinical Programme
Biointelect Venturer’s funding comes through an Australian Government-backed programme supported by the Medical Research Future Fund. ENA is one of six infectious-disease biotech companies sharing A$10.48 million from the programme’s inaugural funding round.
The latest grant follows a stronger funding base established last year, when ENA raised A$34 million in a Series B round. Brandon Capital and Uniseed backed the financing alongside Stoic Venture Capital, the Gates Foundation and Flu Lab. The capital is supporting Phase II development of INNA-051.
Founded in 2020, ENA is now expanding the drug’s clinical programme into asthma, a population where respiratory infections can pose additional risks. The company says the new study could also inform future development in other groups with chronic respiratory conditions.
Source: Startup Daily
Vishal is an experienced Editor at Inspirepreneur Magazine with key interests in artificial intelligence, eCommerce, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and startup sector. Prior to joining Inspirepreneur, he was a Content Writer cum Correspondent at Siliconindia Magazine, where he worked on Company Profiles, Cover Stories, Executive Profiles, Feature Articles and Thought Leadership content.
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