Melbourne biotech ENA Respiratory has received $2.98 million in non-dilutive funding from Biointelect Venturer to run an Australian trial of its nasal antiviral, INNA-051, in adults with asthma, BioSpectrum Asia reported in September 2026.
The drug takes a different route from vaccines and most antivirals. Rather than targeting a single virus, it is designed to strengthen the body’s first line of defence in the nose, where colds, flu, RSV and coronaviruses typically enter. If it works, one product could offer protection across a whole category of respiratory infections. The approach has not yet been proven in patients.
How INNA-051 works
INNA-051 is designed to prime the innate antiviral defences in the lining of the nose, so the immune system is ready to respond before an infection takes hold. It is delivered as a dry powder and dosed once a week, according to the company.
People with asthma are a priority group because viral infections are a common trigger for asthma attacks.
The trial
The new funding will support a Phase Ib study in adults with asthma. It is randomised, double blind and placebo controlled, and will assess safety, tolerability and how the drug behaves in the body. It is expected to start in the first quarter of 2027, and BioSpectrum Asia described it as a first in patients study in Australia.
Separately, a Phase 2 study is underway in the US, with its first stage completed in May 2026, the company said.
The funding
The grant came from the first funding round of Biointelect Venturer, a national incubator for vaccine and infectious disease companies supported by the federal Medical Research Future Fund. ENA’s share was part of $10.48 million split across six infectious disease biotechs.
ENA has drawn on several other sources of capital. The US Department of Defense committed more than US$8 million to develop INNA-051 and later extended the contract. The company previously raised a $34 million Series B led by Brandon Capital and Uniseed.
A broad acting product of this kind would, in principle, not need to be redesigned for each new virus, a feature with obvious appeal for defence forces and public health planners. Whether that holds up in people is what the coming trials are meant to show.
Jack’s take
I like the simplicity of the idea: rather than chase whichever virus is circulating, reinforce the front door. The Pentagon money explains why the US cares about a spray that might work against threats nobody has named yet. Until the trial data lands, though, this is a promising bet and not a proven treatment.