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Global landscape analysis identifies strengths and gaps in R&D pipeline to inform international pandemic preparedness efforts ROME and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The INTREPID Alliance, a consortium of innovative biopharmaceutical companies dedicated to accelerating the development of antiviral treatments to help protect the world ahead of future pandemics, today published the first phase of its global landscape assessment of antiviral research and development (R&D). Antivirals are a critical part of the world's collective defense against new and known viruses. This research is intended to contribute to global pandemic preparedness efforts, including delivering on the 100 Days Mission set forth by the G7. Continue Reading The INTREPID Alliance was formed to bring together the collective industry expertise of its members across drug discovery, antiviral R&D, and medicine manufacturing to help prioritize the most promising assets in the drug development pipeline, support their advancement and catalyze new partnerships to fill in the gaps. This landscape analysis provides an initial look at the antiviral compounds currently under investigation that target 12 viral families selected by INTREPID with the greatest pandemic potential. Antivirals are a critical part of the world's collective defense against new and known viruses. Post this Key Findings: Antiviral Clinical Development Landscape This initial release of the INTREPID Alliance's Antiviral Clinical Development Landscape identifies 80 clinical programs including 61 unique compounds for nine of the 12 priority viral families.1 Of the 61 compounds, 19 are approved by stringent authority or other national authority, 26 compounds are undergoing clinical phase of development from Phases 1-3. And 16 of the 61 compounds are undergoing further information gathering by INTREPID.2 Of the 26 compounds being actively developed, all but five target coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2) and orthomyxoviruses (Influenza) with less focus on other respiratory or vector-borne viruses of concern. In addition, several of the 19 approved compounds are also being evaluated for other viral indications. Other indications that have 1-3 compounds under development or approved include Human Adenovirus (A-G), Lassa fever, Chapare hemorrhagic fever, Ebola, Dengue, Japanese encephalitis, Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, Hendra virus, Rhinovirus, and Polio. Viral families with no compounds currently in clinical development are Hantaviridae, Peribunyaviridae, and Togaviridae. The majority of the developers and sponsors of these clinical-stage compounds are from the biopharmaceutical industry with nearly 88 percent representing the spectrum of small biotechs to large pharmaceutical companies. Antiviral developers within academia follow at approximately 8 percent, contract research organizations at 3 percent, and government at approximately 2 percent. "One of the many lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic is that we need to be better prepared, particularly related to the development of novel antiviral therapies that can help to treat the harmful impact of viruses, ease symptoms, and shorten the length of infection," said James Anderson, Executive Director of Global Health at the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) and Chair of the INTREPID Alliance Board. "While researchers in the industry and elsewhere continue to make progress, this landscape shows that significant gaps exist. We have the opportunity to build on the legacy of collaboration coming out of the recent pandemic to prioritize innovation in the antivirals pipeline and protect the world ahead of future pandemics." Coordination Across the Global Community In support of global pandemic preparedness efforts, INTREPID leadership joined the International Pandemic Preparedness Secretariat (IPPS) today in Rome for the launch of the 100 Days Mission Therapeutics Roadmap. A cornerstone of the IPPS's plan is the development of at least two 'Phase 2 ready' therapeutic candidates against the identified viral pathogen families of greatest pandemic potential.3 INTREPID's ongoing commitment to monitor and evaluate the wide range of antiviral compounds in development through its landscape analysis will continue to provide critical data in support of this goal. "Antiviral therapeutics are a critical component in our defense against new and emerging pandemic threats," said Victor J. Dzau, M.D., Co-Chair of the 100 Days Mission Science and Technology Expert Group. "The INTREPID Alliance's analysis of the current antiviral landscape will serve as a launchpad and continue to focus the global community on areas of urgent need and priority." Adding to this initial focus on compounds in clinical development, INTREPID is currently expanding its landscape analysis to include preclinical stage compounds. As a next step, later this year, INTREPID will publish a list of promising Phase-2 ready compounds that can be quickly deployed as antiviral compounds derived from the global landscape and scientific inspection. To improve our listing, developers are invited to submit non-confidential information on their compound candidates through an online form at the INTREPID website. The full landscape report and data are also publicly available at the INTREPID website and will be updated quarterly. The INTREPID Alliance actively engages with policymakers and public health bodies to ensure that antivirals are incentivized and integrated appropriately into global and local efforts to be better prepared against future pandemics. GLOBAL DATABASE AND STUDY METHODOLOGY The INTREPID Alliance triaged a global antiviral R&D database using stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria to arrive at the Antiviral Clinical Development Landscape. The database was licensed from Airfinity, a predictive health intelligence and data analytics firm, who monitors preclinical and clinical development of antivirals against 12 viral families that pose the greatest risk of pandemic potential. As of November 16, 2023, the Airfinity database identified 687 diverse compound/indications for the 12 priority viral families of pandemic potential; 387 were preclinical and 300 were in the clinical phase of development and/or approved by a global regulatory authority. The triage, using inclusion and exclusion criteria, of the clinical phase and approved compound/indications identified 61 distinct antiviral compounds associated with 80 compound/indications, as reported above. Consistent with INTREPID's mission of advancing small molecule antiviral development, compounds excluded from our analysis were antibodies, antibiotics and other anti-infectives, cell-based therapy, HIV or HCV-specific antivirals, host targets (including immunomodulators), natural products/nutraceuticals/herbals and vaccines. The triage of clinical phase compounds included small molecules, peptides, and RNA-based compounds with known direct antiviral mechanisms of action, in vitro/in vivo activity, first-in-human (FIH) single ascending dose vs. multiple ascending dose data completed and no major safety signals observed. ABOUT THE INTREPID ALLIANCE The INTREPID Alliance has been formed to facilitate and accelerate the development of new treatments for emerging viral pandemic agents through facilitating early science and R&D, policy and advocacy, and stakeholder engagement. Led by a consortium of innovative biopharmaceutical companies and working with the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, INTREPID works to bridge key gaps and unmet needs to ensure delivery of antiviral solutions to viral pathogens with the greatest pandemic potential. INTREPID was launched in March 2023 at a high-level summit bringing together more than 100 thought leaders in virology and global health. For a read-out from the summit and additional information, visit . 1 12 priority viral families identified by the INTREPID Alliance Scientific Working Group using the NIH/NIAID priority viral family list; World Health Organization priority disease areas; and Airfinity database of antivirals. 2 INTREPID Alliance: Antiviral Clinical Development Landscape. 24 January 2024. 3 World Health Organization priority disease areas. Accessed 24 January 2024. SOURCE INTREPID Alliance

“VANQUISH” Clinical Trial (n=40) suggests safety and efficacy of nVNS for the Treatment of Headache Associated with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) “NOVIS” Clinical Trial (n=150) of nVNS for the acute treatment of Ischemic Stroke will complete recruitment in 2023 ROCKAWAY, N.J., Oct. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- electroCore, Inc. (Nasdaq: ECOR), a commercial-stage bioelectronic medicine and wellness company, today announced top line data from two abstracts being presented at the 15th World Stroke Congress held October 10-12, 2023, in Toronto, Canada on the possible role of nVNS in the treatment of acute neurological injuries. The nVNS research presented at the 2023 World Stroke Congress covers two recently completed trials as follows: 1. Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation Is Safe and Efficacious In The Treatment Of Headache Associated With Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (VANQUISH) In this study conducted at Northwell Health in New York, there was a significant reduction in the overall pain score with a therapeutic gain of − 0.5 points in favor of nVNS. (P<0.005). There was a 14% decrease in the Average Morphine Equivalent Dosage after two weeks of treatment as well as a trend towards a 3 day decrease in average hospital stay (p = 0.14) that did not reach significance, possibly due to the size of the study. Dr. Tania Rebeiz, the primary investigator of the VANQUISH study and Assistant Professor, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell commented, “We are pleased to have successfully completed this first trial of nVNS as a possible treatment for the acute treatment of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. Our data suggests that nVNS is safe and effective in reducing pain and potentially the use of other acute pain medications, including opioids in the immediate aftermath of a SAH. The potential for nVNS to help decrease the overall length of the hospital stay after SAH could offer significant patient and health care benefits.” Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a devastating condition, most commonly due to trauma and aneurysm rupture, and carries significant mortality and morbidity. About half of the survivors are left with some disability. Some of the known complications are aneurysm re-rupture, seizures, central fever, delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI), headache and hydrocephalus. 2. Non-invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Acute Ischemic Stroke (NOVIS) NOVIS is a prospective randomized clinical trial with blinded outcome assessment being conducted at the Leiden University Medical Center (Leiden, The Netherlands). 150 patients with ischemic stroke are being randomly allocated (1:1) to nVNS for five days in addition to standard treatment versus standard treatment alone. The primary endpoint is the final infarct volume on day five as assessed with MRI. Dr. Anne van der Meij, from the Leiden University Medical Center, who is presenting the poster at the World Stroke Congress commented, “Our study will complete enrollment before the end of 2023 and our efficacy endpoints should provide greater definition, and possibly confirmation, of the efficacy of nVNS for the acute treatment of ischemic stroke.” Stroke is ranked as the second leading cause of death worldwide with an annual mortality rate of about 5.5 million. The burden of stroke lies not only in its high mortality rate, but in the high morbidity rate as well with up to 50% of stroke survivors being chronically disabled. Peter Staats, MD, Chief Medical Officer for electroCore, commented, “We congratulate all the investigators, patients and sites that supported this research into the role of nVNS as an acute treatment for SAH and Ischemic Stroke. The strong mechanistic rational for nVNS as a potentially neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory treatment for acute neurological injury is further supported by this data showing the continued efficacy of nVNS for the treatment of pain. The ability of nVNS to potentially decrease the daily use of other acute pain medications and potentially even shorten the length of the hospital stay after a SAH is very exciting.” About electroCore, Inc.electroCore, Inc. is a commercial stage bioelectronic medicine and wellness company dedicated to improving health through its non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (“nVNS”) technology platform. Our focus is the commercialization of medical devices for the management and treatment of certain medical conditions and consumer product offerings utilizing nVNS to promote general wellbeing and human performance in the United States and select overseas markets. For more information, visit www.electrocore.com. Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release and other written and oral statements made by representatives of electroCore may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about electroCore's business prospects and clinical and product development plans including potential commercial applications of gammaCore and nVNS for treatment of headache and pain associated with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and the acute treatment of ischemic stroke; its pipeline or potential markets for its technologies; the timing, outcome and impact of regulatory, clinical and commercial developments; the issuance of U.S. and international patents, including patents related to non-invasive nerve stimulation with mobile devices, providing expanded IP coverage; the possibility of future business models, the potential of nVNS generally and gammaCore in particular and other statements that are not historical in nature, particularly those that utilize terminology such as "anticipates," "expects," "believes," "intends," other words of similar meaning, derivations of such words and the use of future dates. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the ability to obtain additional financing necessary to continue electroCore's business, sales and marketing and product development plans, the uncertainties inherent in the development of new products or technologies, the ability to successfully commercialize gammaCore™, competition in the industry in which electroCore operates and general market conditions. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and electroCore undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Investors should refer to all information set forth in this document and should also refer to the disclosure of risk factors set forth in the reports and other documents electroCore files with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov.Contact:ECOR Investor Relations(973) 302-9253investors@electrocore.com

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has unveiled its “world-leading” Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre (VDEC) to research and develop vaccines against pathogens with pandemic potential. The centre, which is situated at the UKHSA’s Porton Down site, is a major part of the agency’s three-year strategy and incorporates over 200 leading scientists working on around 100 wide-ranging projects. VDEC aims to test and evaluate emerging vaccines against new threats and variants to expand its remit to a wide range of other deadly pathogens and diseases that are capable of causing health emergencies. The centre will specifically target pathogens where a vaccine does not exist, could be improved, or is not regulated in the UK, including avian influenza, mpox or hantavirus, a serious infection that is passed from rodents to humans. The VDEC team is currently running phase 1 clinical trials for a possible world-first vaccine against Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, a virus that is spread by an infected tick bite and is fatal in around 30% of cases. Other targets include common infections like tuberculosis and Clostridium difficile. Professor Jenny Harries, chief executive of UKHSA, said: “VDEC is a unique facility in the UK, delivering multiple critical early pre- and post-clinical research and evaluation studies in a single research facility. “This essential work will lead the way over the coming years in our fight against potentially deadly pathogens.” The agency also outlined that VDEC’s work forms a “crucial” role in the UK’s contribution to the 100 Days Mission, which aims to deploy effective vaccines within 100 days of identifying new pandemic threats. A recent UKHSA progress report on the mission found that the UK has made significant progress in six key areas, including vaccine research, development and manufacturing. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry responded to the announcement, with Janet Valentine, executive director of innovation and research policy, stating: “The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that through extraordinary interventions and public sacrifice we could slow down the spread of the virus, but not stop infection, and this came with huge economic and personal cost. “But the most important lesson learnt is that the only way to beat a pandemic is by actively seeking and delivering new vaccines and treatments, the sooner, the better.”