CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Feb. 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Purnovate, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADIL; ADILW) (“Adial” or the “Company”)

, today announced positive

in vivo

data for PNV-5032, as a potential treatment for asthma. PNV-5032 demonstrated a significant inhibition of pulmonary flow resistance, which is a measure of asthmatic response, in an

in vivo

model.

PNV-5032 Relevant Information

• Greater than 1000-fold selective over the adenosine A1 receptor in potency assays

• Demonstrated solubility more than 100 times greater than other selective adenosine compounds of the same class currently known to the Company

• Solubility of an inhaled product allows dissolution in the aerosolized mist for fine distribution over the bronchioles and can be important in facilitating bronchiole membrane penetration

• Findings indicate drug development potential of molecules of this class, possibly to treat asthma

• Covered by a composition of matter patent application for patent protection through 2042 with expected statutory extension to 2047
  

Study Design

Sheep, which respond to allergens and adenosine challenges in a manner similar to humans, were initially challenged with an aerosolized dose of

Ascaris Sum

allergens. Sheep are naturally allergic to these antigens, derived from intestinal roundworms, and each animal responded with severe bronchoconstriction, a clinically relevant symptom shared with asthma patients.

After a washout/recovery period of a few weeks, PNV-5032 was nebulized and administered prophylactically to the sheep. Fifteen minutes later, the sheep received another aerosolized dose of

Ascaris Sum

allergens. Breath-by-breath determination of mean pulmonary flow resistance was measured with the esophageal balloon technique over four hours post challenge, corresponding to the early asthmatic reaction. Each animal served as its own control.

Study Results

A significant 25% reduction in airflow resistance in the PNV-5032 group was observed as compared to the control group (5.1+/- 0.3 vs 6.9+/- 0.5 cm H

₂

O/L/s, respectively).

William Stilley, Adial’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “According to the

World Health Organization

, asthma affected an estimated 262 million people in 2019 and caused 461,000 deaths worldwide. However, there are still limited therapeutic options, such as bronchodilators and steroids, which can have a number of side effects such as susceptibility to thrush, voice changes, bruising and cardiovascular abnormalities, among others. PNV-5032 reduced airflow resistance by 25% in an animal test of allergen-induced asthma, which is highly encouraging. We plan to conduct further testing, with a goal of commencing first-in-human trials in 2023.”

Mr. Stilley continued, “Our Purnovate platform has demonstrated broad therapeutic potential across a range of indications, as illustrated by our recently reported

in vivo

data in both

pain

and

cancer

. Based on the pharmacologic actions of our new adenosine analogs, we see broad applicability across a number of other prevalent ailments such as diabetes, wound/burn healing, Parkinson’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and infectious diseases. We look forward to further exploring and advancing the full potential of this platform. Meanwhile, we are nearing completion of the ONWARD™ pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial and remain on track to report top line data in the coming months.”

About Purnovate, Inc.

Purnovate, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a pharmaceutical development and chemistry company focused on inventing and developing selective, potent, stable, and soluble adenosine analogs to treat diseases and disorders such as pain, asthma, wound/burn healing, inflammation, infectious disease, cancer and diabetes.

About Adial Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Adial Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of treatments for addictions. The Company’s lead investigational new drug product, AD04, is a genetically targeted, serotonin-3 receptor antagonist, therapeutic agent for the treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and is currently being investigated in the Company’s landmark ONWARD™ pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for the potential treatment of AUD in subjects with certain target genotypes, which are to be identified using the Company’s proprietary companion diagnostic genetic test. A Phase 2b clinical trial of AD04 for the treatment of AUD showed promising results in reducing frequency of drinking, quantity of drinking and heavy drinking (all with statistical significance), and no overt safety concerns (there were no statistically significant serious adverse events reported). AD04 is also believed to have the potential to treat other addictive disorders such as Opioid Use Disorder, gambling, and obesity. The Company is also developing adenosine analogs for the treatment of pain and other disorders through its wholly owned subsidiary, Purnovate, Inc. Additional information is available at

www.adialpharma.com

.

Forward Looking Statements

This communication contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Such statements are based upon various facts and derived utilizing numerous important assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “estimates,” “plans” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “may” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts, although not all forward-looking statements include the foregoing. The forward-looking statements include statements regarding Purnovate’s PNV-5032 as a potential treatment for asthma, patent protection to 2042 and expected extension for patent protection until 2047, plans to conduct further testing, with a goal of commencing first-in-human trials in 2023, Purnovate’s having broad therapeutic potential across a range of indications, remaining on track to report top line data from the ONWARD™ pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial in the coming months, and the potential of AD04 to treat other addictive disorders such as opioid use disorder, gambling, and obesity. Any forward-looking statements included herein reflect our current views, and they involve certain risks and uncertainties, including, among others, our ability to commence clinical trials for PNV-5032 when anticipated, our ability to complete clinical trials on time and achieve desired results and benefits as expected and similar to those from in vivo studies, our ability to obtain regulatory approvals for commercialization of product candidates or to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements, regulatory limitations relating to our ability to promote or commercialize our product candidates for specific indications, acceptance of our product candidates in the marketplace and the successful development, marketing or sale of our products, our ability to maintain our license agreements, the continued maintenance and growth of our patent estate, our ability to establish and maintain collaborations, our ability to obtain or maintain the capital or grants necessary to fund its research and development activities, and our ability to retain our key employees or maintain our Nasdaq listing. These risks should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statement included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was initially made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, unless required by law.

Contact:


Crescendo Communications, LLC

David Waldman / Natalya Rudman

Tel: 212-671-1021

Email:

[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a558635b-7058-4e33-a23a-f86b8f6c5e59