FORT WORTH, Texas - TFF Pharmaceuticals, Inc (NASDAQ:TFFP), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced a new partnership with Emory University and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to advance its Thin Film Freezing (TFF) technology for antiviral drug delivery. The collaboration, announced today, aims to convert an mRNA-based Cas13a antiviral into a dry powder form for inhalation, targeting influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses.
The partnership, funded through a contract under BARDA's Flexible and Strategic Therapeutics (FASTx) program, seeks to enhance the delivery and stability of antiviral treatments, potentially eliminating the need for cold-chain storage. This could significantly improve the distribution of therapies for respiratory viruses.
Dr. Harlan Weisman, CEO of TFF Pharmaceuticals, highlighted the potential of inhalational delivery to place drugs directly where viruses replicate, which may increase efficacy and facilitate broader distribution. Philip J. Santangelo from Emory University expressed optimism about developing new treatment methods for respiratory infections more quickly and effectively through this collaboration.
TFF's proprietary technology creates dry powder particles suitable for various administration routes, including inhalation. These particles are designed to reach the deep lung, potentially improving bioavailability and onset of action while minimizing systemic side effects. The technology also preserves the integrity of complex therapeutics, which can be challenging with traditional formulation methods.
The press release underlines that no TFF-based drug product has yet received FDA approval and that success in early research stages does not guarantee future clinical trial success. TFF Pharmaceuticals has disclosed risks related to the partnership and development of the technology, emphasizing the need for additional capital and the absence of agreements with large pharmaceutical companies for commercial product development.
The information in this article is based on a press release statement from TFF Pharmaceuticals.
In other recent news, TFF Pharmaceuticals reported positive preclinical results for its universal influenza vaccine candidates, developed in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic. The vaccine candidates, based on the company's patented Thin Film Freezing (TFF) technology, are being funded by a $2.97 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Meanwhile, TFF Pharmaceuticals has seen progress in its ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial of Tacrolimus Inhalation Powder (TFF TAC) for lung transplant rejection prevention. The company reported accelerated patient enrollment and promising preliminary results. However, the resignation of Michael Patane from TFF Pharmaceuticals' Board of Directors has been announced, effective June 30, 2024, with no immediate successor named. In addition, the company has engaged Outcome Capital to explore potential corporate partnerships and licensing opportunities for its drug products. These are recent developments that continue to shape the future of TFF Pharmaceuticals.
InvestingPro Insights
In the midst of advancing its Thin Film Freezing technology in collaboration with Emory University and BARDA, TFF Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:TFFP) presents a mixed financial landscape. With a market capitalization of just $7 million, the company holds more cash than debt, suggesting a degree of financial flexibility in the short term. However, the company's financials reflect some challenges, including a significant cash burn and weak gross profit margins, with a gross profit margin of -847.92% over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. This indicates that the cost of goods sold far exceeds the revenue generated, which can be a concern for sustainability and profitability.
Investors should note that TFF Pharmaceuticals has not been profitable over the last twelve months, and its valuation implies a poor free cash flow yield, which could impact investor returns. Additionally, the stock has experienced a sharp decline, with a 78.36% drop in price total return over the past year. This performance reflects investor sentiment and market reaction to the company's financial health and prospects.
For those interested in the stock's potential recovery or future performance, it's important to consider these factors. There are currently 8 additional InvestingPro Tips available for TFF Pharmaceuticals, which can provide deeper insights into the company's financial health and stock performance. These tips can be accessed through InvestingPro and could be invaluable for investors looking to make informed decisions regarding TFFP.
InvestingPro Tips also highlight that TFF Pharmaceuticals does not pay a dividend to shareholders, which may influence the investment decisions of income-focused investors. As the company continues to develop its TFF technology and seeks FDA approval, these financial metrics and insights will be crucial for stakeholders monitoring TFFP's progress and valuation.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.