Ethris GmbH has been awarded a €10 million grant from EU4Health, the EU’s largest health program, to support the clinical development of ETH47, a first-in-class mRNA-based antiviral therapy.

This funding will enable the company to advance its NoVir project, a comprehensive initiative that includes several preclinical and clinical studies to explore the potential of ETH47 against a broad range of respiratory and systemic infections. The grant will also support the development of new applications for ETH47, including its use through various routes of administration, significantly expanding its potential impact.

ETH47 is designed to offer a virus- and mutation-independent mechanism of action, making it a promising candidate for pandemic preparedness. The therapy works by inducing a mucosal innate immune defense response at virus entry sites and inhibiting viral replication. It has the potential to address seasonal and emerging respiratory virus infections, including those that exacerbate chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Additionally, ETH47 could play a role in combating other viral infections, making it a versatile solution for future health crises.

Dr Carsten Rudolph, CEO of Ethris, commented on the significance of the grant: “Receiving the EU4Health grant is a major validation of ETH47’s pioneering approach and its potential to offer a paradigm shift in the treatment and prevention of respiratory and broader systemic infections. ETH47’s ability to act at virus entry sites, coupled with its room-temperature stability and potential synergy with existing antiviral treatments, positions it as a differentiated and scalable solution for pandemic preparedness. The funding will allow us to advance ETH47’s clinical development and explore its wider applications beyond respiratory conditions to address additional critical unmet needs in high-risk populations.”

The NoVir project, which will run from May 1, 2025, to April 31, 2027, will encompass a range of studies. It includes a rhinovirus challenge study in asthmatic and COPD patients, who are at high risk for severe viral infections, as well as a study involving healthy volunteers infected with influenza to assess ETH47’s antiviral efficacy. In addition, preclinical research will investigate ETH47’s protective effects against a variety of viruses, including paramyxoviruses, orthomyxoviruses, coronaviridae, and bunyaviruses, with a focus on those causing viral hemorrhagic fevers. Researchers will also explore the potential for ETH47 to treat infections through multiple routes of administration, including intravaginal, ocular, and systemic infections, thus expanding its therapeutic uses beyond respiratory diseases. The study will further evaluate ETH47’s ability to enhance the effectiveness of existing antiviral treatments through synergistic effects.

Ethris is collaborating with leading virology laboratories at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Aarhus University, which will contribute their expertise in virus systems, replication, and established cell and animal models to the project. These partnerships will help to test ETH47’s effectiveness against a variety of viruses and through multiple infection routes.

The EU4Health program was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is designed to strengthen Europe’s healthcare systems while improving preparedness for future health crises. With a budget of €4.4 billion, the program aims to support projects focused on health promotion, disease prevention, crisis response, and healthcare access. By funding initiatives like NoVir, EU4Health is contributing to the creation of a healthier European Union that is better prepared for emerging health challenges.