Clinical-stage biotech ENA Respiratory has raised $2.98 million from the government-backed Biointelect Venturer program to expand testing of its antiviral nasal spray in people with asthma.

The non-dilutive funding will support an Australian trial of ENA’s lead drug, INNA-051, which is designed to strengthen the body’s first line of defence against respiratory viruses.

The study, kicking off in early 2027, will test the treatment’s safety and how it behaves in adults with asthma.

INNA-051 is a once-weekly dry-powder nasal spray intended to prime immune defences in the nose, the attact source for viruses such as influenza, RSV, rhinovirus and coronaviruses.

ENA, founded in 2020, is developing the treatment to help people respond faster to a range of respiratory infections, rather than a single one, also reducing the risk of serious complications.

Last year ENA raised raised $34 million in a Series B led by existing investors Brandon Capital and Uniseed.

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CEO Christophe Demaison said the grant would allow the company to extend its clinical program for higher-risk groups.

“Patients with asthma are at significant risk of complications from respiratory infections and this study will inform future development in this group and other at-risk populations, such as those with other chronic respiratory conditions,” he said.

The company is also running a Phase II study in the US – first stage was successfully completed in May – involving young adults facing increased infection risks from living or working in crowded environments.

Vaccine investments

Biointelect Venturer is a national vaccine and infectious disease incubator funded via the federal government’s Medical Research Future Fund.

General manager Danielle Shand said the program was designed to help Australian infectious disease companies bridge the gap between research and commercial readiness. ENA is one of six infectious disease biotech companies sharing in $10.48 million to accelerate their commercialisation potential.

The others are: SAMMvax, has createda vaccine to provide broad protection against Strep A; Saccharide Therapeutics, which is developing a new malaria vaccine (a disease that kills more than 600,000 people annually); Ebivanta Therapeutics, which is is developing an mRNA vaccine against Epstein–Barr virus; Proboxis Biotechnology, which is also developing a vaccine production platform for mosquito-borne viruses,  beginning with Japanese encephalitis; and AdaptiVax, which is developing an adaptable virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine platform technology designed to  enable the rapid development of vaccines against multiple respiratory viruses. The platform’s initial application  targets three viruses – RSV, human metapneumovirus and parainfluenza virus. These represent the three major  causes of respiratory illness and hospitalisation, particularly among young children and older adults. If  successful, the vaccine could not only protect against all three viruses, but the broader AdaptiVax platform  could also support the development of vaccines against other RNA viruses, helping to strengthen Australia’s  vaccine manufacturing capability and preparedness for future respiratory disease threats. 

Biointelect Venturer received 48 Expressions of Interest for its inaugural funding round and EOIs for the second round open on September 21. Details at biointelect.com/biointelect-venturer