US in vivo study shows Argent’s ArtemiC effective in viral inflammatory model

• Independent in vivo study demonstrates up to 85% survival in a viral inflammatory mouse model treated with Argent’s ArtemiC
• ArtemiC is a US over the counter brand of CimetrA – a nano-formulated oral therapy for ARDS and cytokine-driven disorders
• Significant reductions in viral load and cytokine-induced inflammation observed in lung and brain tissue

Special Report: Argent BioPharma has released positive results of an in vivo study evaluating the efficacy of ArtemiC – the US over the counter (OTC) unlicensed drug brand name of CimetrA – in a severe viral inflammatory model targeting acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Completed in April and published this month, the study assessed the therapeutic impact of ArtemiC in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice (20 mice per group) within a severe viral inflammatory model.

The in vivo study on ArtemiC was conducted independently of Argent BioPharma (ASX:RGT) and financed by AMC Pharma USA in collaboration with the Botanical Medicine Research and Education Consortium (BMREC) at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa.  

Treated animals demonstrated a survival rate of up to 85%, compared with 0% in the untreated control group, which Argent said highlighted the profound efficacy of ArtemiC in a lethal infection model.

ArtemiC not only achieved a significant reduction of viral load in both lung and brain tissue, but also markedly suppressed cytokine-driven inflammatory injury, a key driver of morbidity.

Systemic treatment with ArtemiC enhanced overall antiviral efficacy and extended life expectancy, yielding an additional 20–40% survival advantage in treated cohorts.

Furthermore, ArtemiC reduced the cytokine storm triggered in K18-hACE2 mice exposed to severe viral inflammation, supporting its proposed role as a targeted anti-inflammatory therapy for acute hyperinflammatory conditions.

Study adds to positive data for ArtemiC

ArtemiC is the US OTC unlicensed drug brand name for Argent BioPharma’s lead nano-formulated immunomodulator CimetrA, developed for the treatment of acute inflammatory responses and chronic autoimmune conditions.

The formulation combines two active ingredients, delivered through a proprietary oral nanoparticle system.

It is designed to block key inflammatory pathways (IL-32, NF-κB, and p38 MAPK) while boosting protective cellular responses (such as HO-1).

ArtemiC is being developed as a targeted therapy for ARDS, demonstrating a strong safety profile and therapeutic benefit across multiple completed studies, without any adverse events.

Phase II and Phase IIb clinical trials showed clinically meaningful improvements in respiratory and inflammatory markers.

Preclinical toxicology programs confirmed strong tolerability, while real-world data from early-access use further supports its rapid and well-tolerated effect.

‘Reinforces clinical and regulatory strategy’

Argent said the strength of the results provided a robust scientific foundation for AMC Pharma’s commercial strategy, supporting anticipated future orders in the US and other international territories under existing distribution agreements.

“The independent in vivo data, generated in the United States by respected academic and clinical teams, validate ArtemiC’s immunological mode of action,” RGT managing director Roby Zomer said.

“The efficacy in controlling viral inflammation without immune suppression reinforces our clinical and regulatory strategy for both pandemic preparedness and chronic autoimmune conditions.”

AMC Pharma USA’s Brent Yessin Esq said he believed the case for ArtemiC under current Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services RFK Jr. was compelling.

“We believe the current administration of RFK Jr. would welcome an alternative for the 40–50% of Americans reluctant to take vaccines,” he said.

“Our team is working to advance regulatory support for ArtemiC, and the data strengthens the case for its broader deployment.”

This article was developed in collaboration with Argent BioPharma, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.