Decoy Therapeutics, a subsidiary of Salarius Pharmaceuticals, announced a collaboration with Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) to conduct in‑vitro testing of its peptide conjugate fusion inhibitors against a range of influenza strains, including the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu.
The partnership will leverage Texas Biomed’s world‑class virology testing capabilities to evaluate Decoy’s IMP 3 ACT platform‑derived inhibitors, which have demonstrated strong in‑silico binding affinity to the viral entry protein. The in‑vitro studies will assess the inhibitors’ activity across multiple influenza subtypes and help validate the platform’s potential as a broad‑spectrum antiviral.
The collaboration follows Salarius’s recent merger with Decoy in November 2025 and an $8 million public offering that closed the same month. The company has also completed a 1‑for‑15 reverse stock split in August and regained compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements, positioning it to pursue IND filings and future regulatory submissions.
By adding Texas Biomed’s testing expertise, Decoy aims to accelerate preclinical development and strengthen the scientific foundation for a single antiviral that could target influenza, COVID‑19 and RSV. The partnership also opens the possibility of agricultural applications, such as treating poultry flocks, expanding the company’s commercial opportunities beyond human therapeutics.
Dr. Barbara Hibner, Chief Scientific Officer, said the collaboration “will accelerate the validation of our pan‑influenza inhibitors and bring us closer to a broad‑spectrum antiviral that addresses an unmet medical need.” CEO Rick Pierce added that the partnership underscores the company’s commitment to advancing its pipeline amid a growing market for novel antivirals.
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