Traws Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: TRAW) announced the advancement of a combination antiviral therapy targeting hantavirus and ebola virus disease outbreaks. The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company said the investigational treatment utilizes what it calls a "dual-strike" mechanism aimed at viral eradication.

The combination therapy works by depleting the host cell's natural nucleotide supply while forcing viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to incorporate nucleoside-mimics that halt replication. Both components of the combination have been evaluated as single agents in human studies, according to the company.

"By aggressively reducing the intracellular competition between natural nucleotides and the active drug, this mechanism drastically lowers the effective concentration of the nucleoside prodrug required to completely halt replication," said C. David Pauza, Chief Science Officer.

The company is conducting non-clinical development and evaluating the combination in animal models of hantavirus and ebola within Biosafety Level 3 and Level 4 laboratories. Traws Pharma said it is scaling up chemical development and manufacturing infrastructure to enable immediate supply to health agencies.

The company plans interactions with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is working with Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control and the African Medicines Agency to fast-track clinical development and global access.

Traws Pharma said it will build on existing contacts in Nigeria to develop local manufacturing of drug products, aiming to streamline regulatory pathways and ensure access to therapeutics across Africa.

"Our developing cooperation with NAFDAC and AMA Medical Manufacturing should ensure that as we finalize our data and scale production, we are fully prepared to transition from the lab straight to the frontlines of global public health," said Robert R. Redfield, Chief Medical Officer and former CDC head.

The company's lead program, tivoxavir marboxil, is in development as a once-monthly oral prophylactic agent for influenza prevention.