Water-soluble investigational galectin antagonist being evaluated as a potential approach to limiting H5N1 spread and reducing the impact of poultry outbreaks
BOSTON, March 12, 2025 — Bioxytran, Inc. (OTCQB: BIXT), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing oral and intravenous therapeutics for viral diseases and other significant unmet medical needs, today announced the development of
a water-soluble galectin antagonist being considered for preclinical evaluation against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as Bird Flu, in egg-laying chickens.
The investigational approach is designed to explore whether galectin antagonists can interfere with viral entry and attachment in chickens and potentially limit the spread of H5N1 during outbreaks.
Bioxytran is also evaluating potential delivery methods and actively seeking partnerships with organizations and government agencies to accelerate development of the technology.
Bioxytran's approach is based on galectin antagonists, a class of molecules designed to interfere with viral adhesion and attachment to host cells.
The Company's research has investigated the ability of its carbohydrate-based galectin antagonists to interact with viral spike proteins outside the cell. By interfering with the interaction between viral proteins and host cells, the approach is intended to target an early stage of viral infection.
Bioxytran's research into this mechanism has included in vitro testing and Phase 2 human clinical research involving galectin antagonists.
The Company believes the underlying mechanism may also be relevant to avian species and is investigating whether the approach could be applied to H5N1 in egg-laying chickens.
The investigational treatment is being developed as a water-soluble galectin antagonist, an attribute that Bioxytran believes could be relevant when considering administration in poultry.
The Company is currently working to establish the optimal delivery method for chickens.
Determining an appropriate delivery approach will be an important component of preclinical development, including evaluation of how the investigational molecule can be administered effectively and consistently in poultry.
Additional research will be required to determine the appropriate formulation, administration method, safety profile, and antiviral activity in chickens.
Bioxytran's galectin antagonist technology is designed to act at the stage of viral attachment.
According to the Company's research, its carbohydrate-based galectin antagonists can attach to viral spike proteins and interfere with their ability to connect with host cells.
This mechanism provides the basis for Bioxytran's investigation into whether the technology could help limit the spread of H5N1.
The Company believes that targeting viral attachment may offer an approach that is less dependent on the specific mutations that can emerge during viral replication. However, the potential impact of viral variation and the effectiveness of this approach against H5N1 would require additional scientific evaluation.
The potential application is particularly focused on egg-laying chickens, an important part of the U.S. poultry and food supply.
HPAI outbreaks can result in the loss of large numbers of birds and can have significant economic consequences for poultry producers.
Bioxytran is investigating whether an antiviral approach could help reduce viral transmission and potentially limit the scale of losses associated with outbreaks.
At this stage, the treatment remains investigational and is being considered for preclinical development. Its potential ability to prevent infection, reduce transmission, or protect poultry populations has not yet been established.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza has created significant challenges for poultry producers and the broader agricultural supply chain.
According to USDA data cited by Bioxytran, approximately 369 million egg-producing chickens were present in the United States at the beginning of 2025, including approximately 304 million chickens producing the domestic table-egg supply.
More than 20 million egg-laying chickens were reported to have been culled during the preceding quarter as a result of Bird Flu outbreaks.
The economic impact has also been substantial. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported approximately $1.25 billion in indemnity and compensation payments to farmers since the HPAI outbreak began in 2022.
These conditions underscore the need to investigate additional approaches to managing HPAI and protecting poultry health.
Current responses to HPAI outbreaks can include the depopulation of affected poultry flocks to help control viral transmission.
Bioxytran is investigating whether an effective antiviral treatment could eventually provide another tool for outbreak management.
The Company's objective is to determine whether its galectin antagonist approach can limit viral spread in egg-laying chickens and potentially reduce the need for extensive flock losses.
Any claim that the technology could eliminate mass culling would require substantial evidence from preclinical and clinical or veterinary studies. Bioxytran's current work remains at the investigational stage.
The H5N1 program builds on Bioxytran's broader research into galectin-targeted antiviral technology.
The Company's leading antiviral candidate, ProLectin-M, is based on a related carbohydrate-based approach and is being developed to investigate viral attachment and host-pathogen interactions.
Bioxytran's research has examined galectin antagonists in the context of viral diseases and has included laboratory and human clinical research.
The Company is now exploring whether the underlying mechanism could have applications beyond human viral diseases, including highly pathogenic avian influenza.
HPAI outbreaks can affect poultry production, egg availability, farmer income, food supply chains, and consumer prices.
Bioxytran believes that developing new antiviral tools could complement existing disease-control measures and provide additional options for managing future outbreaks.
The Company's proposed approach is focused on investigating whether a water-soluble galectin antagonist can be used in poultry to interfere with viral attachment and limit H5N1 spread.
Further research will determine whether the technology can meet the biological, safety, delivery, and regulatory requirements necessary for potential use in poultry.
Bioxytran is actively seeking partnerships with academic institutions, industry organizations, and government agencies to accelerate research into the potential use of its galectin antagonist technology against H5N1.
Collaboration could support additional preclinical studies, delivery research, formulation development, and evaluation of antiviral activity in appropriate poultry models.
The Company believes partnerships will be important to advancing the technology from its current preclinical stage toward potential future development.
Bioxytran will continue evaluating the water-soluble galectin antagonist and potential delivery methods as it advances its preclinical research program.
Future work will be needed to assess antiviral activity, dosing, safety, pharmacology, administration, and other development considerations in chickens.
The Company will also continue exploring potential partnerships with organizations and government agencies interested in developing new approaches to HPAI management.
Additional research will be necessary before the technology can be considered for regulatory approval or use in poultry.
Bioxytran, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a library of novel complex carbohydrate structures across three platform technologies: glycovirology, cancer metastasis, and oxygen delivery.
The Company's research platforms are directed toward significant unmet medical needs in virology, degenerative disease, hypoxia, and other areas of disease biology. Bioxytran's leading drug candidate, ProLectin-M, is an investigational antiviral designed to antagonize galectins implicated in viral and other disease-related pathways.
The Company is also advancing development programs focused on pulmonary fibrosis and stroke treatment.
For more information, visit www.bioxytraninc.com.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza, including H5N1, is a viral disease that can cause significant losses in poultry populations and disrupt agricultural production.
The continued spread of HPAI has created economic challenges for poultry producers and contributed to concerns about egg supply and pricing.
Bioxytran's research is focused on investigating whether its galectin antagonist technology can provide a potential antiviral approach for egg-laying chickens and contribute to future HPAI management strategies.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements concerning the development and potential performance of Bioxytran's galectin antagonist technology, potential applications against H5N1, preclinical research, delivery methods, potential partnerships, future development activities, and the potential use of the technology in poultry. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks, assumptions, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.
Factors that may affect future results include preclinical and veterinary study outcomes, regulatory decisions, development timelines, funding availability, manufacturing requirements, formulation and delivery considerations, strategic partnerships, and other risks described in Bioxytran's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The investigational treatment described in this release has not been established as safe or effective for H5N1 in poultry and has not received regulatory approval for such use. Bioxytran undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law.
Bioxytran, Inc.
Website: www.bioxytraninc.com
Investor Contact:
Michael Sheikh
509-991-0245
mike.sheikh@bioxytraninc.com
