P-2183. In Vitro 425 nm Light Biomodulation Reduces Influenza and RSV Titers

TL;DR

A device using 420–430 nm light reduces influenza and RSV virus levels in lab tests and human airway models.

Contribution

Demonstrates that 420–430 nm light can inactivate influenza and RSV viruses in vitro and in airway models.

Findings

420–430 nm light reduced influenza A H1N1, H3N2, and influenza B titers in human airway epithelia.

RSV titers were reduced in a dose-dependent manner in both cell-free suspensions and airway models.

The RD-X19 device achieved similar RSV inactivation as the BLU test platform.

Abstract

The RD-X19 is an investigational medical device that targets 420 – 430 nm light to the oropharynx and surrounding tissues to treat upper respiratory viral infections. The development of the RD-X19 was translated from the biological light unit (BLU), a proprietary high-throughput in vitro test platform. Clinical trials have indicated that the RD-X19 device can reduce the time to sustained symptom resolution and the time to negative antigen tests in clinical subjects 40 years of age and over with mild COVID-19. Visible light impacts SARS-CoV-2 through modulation of host and viral factors; therefore, we expect 420 – 430 nm light biomodulation to be effective against other respiratory viruses, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

In this study, we utilized both the BLU and RD-X19 to test whether 420 – 430 nm light a) inactivated influenza A H1N1 and H3N2, influenza B, and RSV in cell-free suspensions and b) reduced viral titers in well-differentiated models of human airway epithelia (HAE). Cell-free suspensions of each virus were illuminated with 420 – 430 nm light and viral titers were determined. HAE were inoculated with virus prior to twice-daily treatment with 420 – 430 nm light. Apical washes were collected and viral titers were determined.

H1N1 and H3N2 and influenza type B titers in cell-free suspensions. However, 420 – 430 nm light reduced RSV titers in a dose-dependent manner. In HAE, 420 – 430 nm light significantly reduced influenza A H1N1 and H3N2, influenza B, and RSV titers supporting that host factors play role. The illumination of RSV with the RD-X19 device induced similar dependent inactivation of RSV as those observed with the BLU.

These data demonstrate the potential of the RD-X19 as a novel treatment for upper respiratory infections regardless of the infecting pathogen. Based on the comparable benchtop findings in HAE for influenza and RSV as those in the clinically-evaluated SARS-CoV-2, we anticipate that the RD-X19 treatment should achieve clinical success against influenza and RSV and warrants further clinical investigation.

Jacob Kocher, PhD, EmitBio, Inc.: US Patent 11,986,666/US Patent 11,980,774|EmitBio, Inc.: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) Nicole Jandick, PhD, EmitBio: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) Derry Spragion, M.S., EmitBio, Inc.: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) Leslee Arwood, B.S., EmitBio, Inc: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) Rachel Roberts, B.S., EmitBio, Inc: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) Max Stockslager, Ph.D., EmitBio, Inc.: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) P. Joseph DeSena, M.S., EmitBio, Inc.: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) Riley Hook, B.S., EmitBio, Inc.: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) T. Matthew Womble, M.S., EmitBio, Inc.: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company) Nate Stasko, PhD, EmitBio, Inc.: Stocks/Bonds (Private Company)