Benzinga | Jan 11, 2022 08:55AM EST

EXCLUSIVE: Revelation Biosciences Announces Data Demonstrating REVTx-99 In Vitro Anti-Viral Activity Against SARS-CoV-2

San Diego, CA -- January 11, 2022 -- Revelation Biosciences Inc. (NASDAQ:REVB) (the "Company" or "Revelation"), a clinical-stage life sciences company that is focused on the development of immunologicbased therapies for the prevention and treatment of disease, today announced it has observed significant decrease in viral load with prophylactic treatment of REVTx-99 in three independent in vitro single cell-based assay models of SARS-CoV-2 infection.In addition, the company announced that they have completed their business combination with Petra Acquisition, Inc. and will trade under "REVB" and "REVBW" beginning today, January 11, 2022.How REVTx-99 WorksREVTx-99 binds to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), stimulating and inducing host-directed factors that augment the production of protective cytokines including interferons and interferon-related proteins which contributes to the establishment of an anti-viral state regardless of virus type, strain, or variant.The Studies and FindingsREVTx-99 was assessed for prophylactic anti-viral activity against SARS-CoV-2 Delta infection in three separate cell lines, each expressing sufficient levels of ACEII and TLR4, receptors required to sufficiently demonstrate viral infection as well as REVTx-99 activity, respectively.

* Human primary bronchial/tracheal cells were expanded and treated with 250 nanograms per mL (ng/mL) REVTx-99 one hour prior to infection. SARS-CoV-2 viral spike protein was measured using a cell-based ELISA. Viral load was reduced by more than 50% when compared to the non-treated viral assay control.

* Human alveolar epithelial cells (A549, Adenocarcinomic) were treated with 250 ng/mL REVTx-99 24 hours prior to infection. SARS-CoV-2 viral load was measured using RT-qPCR. Viral load was reduced more than 50% when compared to the non-treated viral assay control.

* Human lung epithelial cells (Calu-3, Adenocarcinomic) were treated with REVTx-99 one hour prior to infection. SARS-CoV-2 was measured using the plaque formation assay, which detected SARS-CoV-2 plaque forming units (CFUs). Treatment with REVTx-99 at 250ng/mL and 1000ng/mL reduced the number of CFUs by 19%, and 29%, respectively, compared to the non-treated viral control.

These studies were conducted on behalf of Revelation by a third-party contract research laboratory specializing in viral activity assays.Revelation is continuing to develop and optimize in vitro and in vivo models to define TLR4 stimulation in response to REVTx-99, and identify a dose range for optimal anti-viral efficacy against SARS-CoV-2, additional variants such as Omicron, and other viruses including rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and influenza. Additional in vitro anti-viral dose response results for REVTx-99 will be used to inform the design for our planned preclinical studies."These results, along with our early clinical study results, (Revelation study REV-NHV01), suggest REVTx-99 creates an anti-viral state in relevant cell types and encourage us to continue our work to demonstrate the anti-viral potential for REVTx-99, especially considering the continuous introduction of new variants, such as Omicron", said James Rolke, Chief Executive Officer of Revelation. "With new, more infective SARS-CoV-2 variants emerging, and the continued impact of COVID-19 on the daily lives of people around the world, we remain focused on rapidly advancing this urgently needed protective therapy to fill the current unmet need."During the 2019-2020 season, the CDC estimates that influenza was associated with 38 million illnesses, 18 million medical visits, 405,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths. Globally, COVID-19 is responsible for more than 5 million deaths, with thousands of people dying every day.