AEMD: Study finds mannose-rich extracellular vesicles elevated in Long COVID and captured by Hemopurifier's GNA resin

AI Summary

Aethlon announced a peer‑reviewed study showing Long COVID patients had ~2x higher levels of mannosylated extracellular vesicles (EVs) versus recovered individuals and that those mannose‑positive EVs can be bound by Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA) affinity resin—the active capture component of the Hemopurifier. The study (using plasma from UCSF's LIINC cohort) also showed GNA resin reduced seven circulating microRNAs linked to immune/inflammatory pathways, providing translational rationale to test whether Hemopurifier removal of disease‑associated EVs could be a therapeutic approach, though no clinical benefit has yet been demonstrated and the company remains focused on its oncology trial.

Positives

Peer‑reviewed study reports ~2x higher mannose‑positive EVs in Long COVID vs recovered controls
GNA affinity resin (Hemopurifier's active binder) successfully captured small EVs from patient plasma
Treatment with GNA resin reduced seven circulating microRNAs implicated in immune/inflammatory signaling

Negatives

Findings are preclinical/associative and do not demonstrate clinical benefit in Long COVID patients
Aethlon's current resources and primary focus remain on its Australian oncology clinical trial
No clinical studies yet showing the Hemopurifier can improve Long COVID outcomes; translational results may not replicate