Tivic Health Opens Defense Talks on Entolimod Radiation Countermeasure

Tivic Health Systems said it has begun detailed talks with several U.S. defense-related agencies—including BARDA, the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute and the Medical CBRN Defense Consortium—on potential pathways to deploy its lead drug candidate, Entolimod, as a countermeasure against radiation exposure for military personnel. The discussions took place during the Department of Defense’s 2025 Military Health System Research Symposium, held 4–7 August in Kissimmee, Florida, the company announced on 15 August. Entolimod, a Toll-like receptor-5 agonist in late-stage development and granted Fast Track status by the Food and Drug Administration, is designed to prevent cell death in bone marrow and epithelial tissue following radiation exposure. Tivic’s engagement with the agencies could unlock federal funding and accelerate regulatory and procurement timelines for the therapy aimed at protecting warfighters from nuclear or radiological threats. Investors welcomed the update, sending Tivic shares up roughly 63% in pre-market trading. The company, which also develops bioelectronic therapies, said it will provide further details on any formal agreements or trials as talks with the government progress.