Shanghai Ark Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced that the first cohort of healthy volunteers has been dosed in a phase I clinical trial of AK0406, a novel long-acting antiviral drug-Fc conjugate (ADFC) drug for influenza infection, following approval by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) in Australia. This milestone marks the first-in-human (FIH) evaluation of AK0406 and an important step in the global clinical development of ArkBio's influenza pipeline.

The phase I trial is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of AK0406 in healthy adult participants in Australia. Data from this FIH study will inform subsequent dose selection and future proof-of-concept trials in populations at risk for influenza infection.

Influenza remains a significant global public health burden, causing substantial morbidity and mortality each year and posing an ongoing pandemic threat. Current preventive measures, including seasonal vaccination, are challenged by antigenic drift, strain-selection uncertainty, and reduced effectiveness in the general population, especially in vulnerable groups such as older adults and immunocompromised individuals. With its long-acting, broad-spectrum ADFC design, AK0406 has the potential to address key limitations of existing therapies and offer improved options for both prevention and treatment of seasonal influenza and potential pandemic outbreaks. ArkBio will continue to accelerate the clinical development of AK0406 and work with global partners to advance better prevention and treatment options for patients worldwide.