Ennaid Therapeutics Prioritizes Zika Virus Rapid Drug Development in Wake of Crisis

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Feb. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ennaid Therapeutics, located in Alpharetta, GA is developing therapeutic cures to help the millions of people worldwide when infected with the mosquito-borne disease, Zika Virus, now named a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization and the CDC. The global health community is urging caution and care in response to Zika's explosive spread and is calling for rapidly stepped up efforts by researchers to find therapeutics and vaccines for those who contract it.

For years, Ennaid Therapeutics has been committed to developing cures for mosquito-borne diseases, including Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika viruses – and is now advancing its work on Zika to address the urgent global need.

Zika Virus

Zika is linked to microcephalic birth defects and possible eye damage in babies. The virus, which is transmitted by Aedes species mosquito, has infected 1 million Brazilians and 50+ people in the United States. An estimated 4 million infections are expected in the Americas in 2016. Zika's risk to pregnant women is a top priority, according to the CDC.

"Zika virus, which is now our focus, has been in our ten-product pipeline for years, and we will continue developing cures for the growing numbers of Dengue, West Nile and Chikungunya sufferers, among other mosquito-borne diseases," says Darnisha Harrison, Ennaid Therapeutics' CEO.

Please see link below of Discovery Channel's "Innovations with Ed Begley, Jr.", in which Ennaid Therapeutics will be featured: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/10/prweb13028491.htm.

Ennaid Therapeutics' Science

• Our peptide fusion inhibitors show significant inhibition against many Flaviviridae family of viruses, such as Dengue and possibly Zika; both carried by the Aedes species mosquito, and both of the flavivirus genus
• Our peptide's stem mimic the stem of many Flaviviridae viruses, thus inhibiting viral infections
• Zika stem is a very close match to our peptide's stem and  feasibility studies are underway.
• Already planned development studies will determine our peptide's inhibition against Zika virus in vivo and safety in pregnancy
• Our fast-track development strategy will then allow Ennaid Therapeutics to immediately begin clinical trials, as funding is secured
• Currently there are safe and effective commercialized peptide fusion inhibitors, such as Enfuvirtide, brand name Fuzeon

Ennaid Therapeutics

Founded in 2012, Ennaid Therapeutics is developing a proprietary platform technology of flavivirus fusion inhibitors that show significant inhibition against flavivirus infectivity, such as Dengue, et al. Their rapid development plan has the potential to safely and quickly bring a Zika virus therapeutic cure to market in record time.

Darnisha Harrison, Ennaid Therapeutics CEO

Formerly a Microbiologist and Chemist, Ms. Harrison is a nationally recognized pharmaceutical entrepreneur by Newsweek magazine. With 22 years' experience in the life sciences, she is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the New York Academy of Sciences. She received a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and a Minor in Chemistry from LSU.

For interviews, investment or more information contact:
Gigi Gilbert, Public Relations, Phone: +404-309-7034, Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Ennaid Therapeutics