ENA Respiratory Taps Pharma Veteran to Steer Antiviral Pipeline's Next Phase

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – April 23, 2026 – Clinical-stage pharmaceutical company ENA Respiratory today announced a significant enhancement to its leadership team with the appointment of Melissa Faris as an independent Non-Executive Director. The move is widely seen as a strategic play to leverage deep industry expertise as the company advances its first-in-class antiviral candidate, INNA-051, through critical clinical trials.

Faris, a seasoned executive with over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, brings a formidable track record in respiratory medicine and business development. Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment for ENA Respiratory, which is focused on developing host defense enhancers to combat symptomatic viral respiratory infections—a field that has garnered intense global interest and investment.

A Strategic Play for Clinical and Commercial Acceleration

The addition of Melissa Faris to the board is more than a routine corporate governance update; it represents a calculated move to infuse the company with seasoned leadership capable of navigating the complex path from clinical development to market. Faris currently serves as the Chief Business Officer of OMass Therapeutics, a UK-based biotechnology firm, where she is central to shaping corporate strategy and securing high-value partnerships.

Her most notable experience comes from a distinguished 20-year career at global pharmaceutical giant GSK. There, she held several senior roles, including Vice President and Head of Immunology Business Development, where she managed a team responsible for all business development activities across immunology and infectious diseases. Crucially for ENA Respiratory, she also served as Head of Respiratory Business Development and Clinical Development Director for Respiratory Medicines. In these capacities, Faris was instrumental in guiding multiple respiratory therapies through the entire development lifecycle, from early-phase trials to regulatory registration and successful commercial launch.

ENA Respiratory’s CEO, Christophe Demaison, PhD, highlighted the strategic value of this appointment. “We are proud to appoint Melissa to our Board,” he stated. “The depth and breadth of her pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry experience is exceptional and her international contacts and perspective, and relevant expertise in the respiratory and immunology space can only benefit ENA Respiratory as we continue to advance the clinical development of INNA-051.”

This expertise is expected to be invaluable as ENA Respiratory seeks to forge strategic partnerships, secure further financing, and design a robust commercialization strategy for its lead asset.

Advancing a First-in-Class Antiviral Defense

At the heart of ENA Respiratory's strategy is INNA-051, a novel prophylactic nasal spray designed to be virus-agnostic. Unlike traditional vaccines or antivirals that target specific pathogens, INNA-051 works by priming the body's own innate immune system. As a Toll-like Receptor 2/6 (TLR2/6) agonist, the once-weekly, dry-powder formulation stimulates natural antiviral defenses directly in the nasal passages—the primary entry point for most respiratory viruses.

This mechanism aims to provide broad protection against a wide array of viruses, accelerating the clearance of pathogens and reducing the severity of illness. The therapy is being developed for at-risk populations, including the elderly and individuals with chronic conditions like COPD, diabetes, or heart disease, who are most vulnerable to severe complications from respiratory infections.

The company is making significant headway in its clinical program. An earlier Phase 2a influenza challenge study demonstrated that INNA-051 was well-tolerated and effectively activated local innate immune responses. More recently, in January 2026, ENA Respiratory initiated its Phase 2 community study, codenamed POSITS. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, led by researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health (CVD), will enroll up to 1,100 healthy adults at increased risk of exposure. The primary goal is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of INNA-051 in preventing symptomatic respiratory infections, with top-line data eagerly anticipated in the third quarter of 2026.

Bolstered by High-Profile Backing and Partnerships

ENA Respiratory's ambitious clinical program is supported by a strong foundation of financial backing and strategic collaborations. The company has raised a total of $52.4 million, including a recent Series B funding round in October 2025 that brought in $22.4 million. This round attracted prominent new investors, including the Gates Foundation and Flu Lab, signaling significant confidence from organizations at the forefront of global public health and pandemic preparedness.

Long-term investors, including Brandon Capital, Uniseed, and Stoic Venture Capital, also participated, reaffirming their commitment to the company's vision. Further validation comes from a US$13.1 million contract awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense, highlighting the potential utility of INNA-051 in protecting military and first-responder personnel.

Beyond funding, ENA Respiratory has cultivated key partnerships to support its development goals. A collaboration with the US COPD Foundation is helping to ensure the clinical development of INNA-051 is patient-centered, addressing the urgent need for preventative treatments for those with chronic lung diseases. The company is also an alumnus of BLUE KNIGHT™, a joint initiative between Johnson & Johnson Innovation and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), aimed at accelerating solutions for future health security threats.

Navigating a Competitive and Evolving Landscape

The global antiviral market, valued at over $70 billion, is both highly competitive and rapidly evolving. While major pharmaceutical firms continue to develop pathogen-specific vaccines and treatments, a growing number of biotechnology companies are exploring novel, broad-spectrum approaches. Competitors are developing next-generation RNA therapeutics and other host-directed therapies, creating a dynamic innovation ecosystem.

ENA Respiratory’s virus-agnostic platform positions it uniquely within this landscape. If successful, INNA-051 could offer a new paradigm in respiratory health: a ready-to-use prophylactic that provides a first line of defense against a multitude of existing and emerging viral threats without requiring pathogen-specific development. The strategic guidance of board members like Melissa Faris, with her direct experience in bringing respiratory products to a competitive market, will be critical in navigating this environment and realizing the full potential of this innovative approach.

Reflecting on her new role, Faris expressed her conviction in the company’s mission. “I am truly excited to be joining the Board of ENA Respiratory. I have followed the company’s progress for a number of years and believe its innovative approach to reducing the often-devastating impacts of viral respiratory infections could offer a new option for millions of vulnerable patients worldwide.”