In a porcine model of severe acute alcohol intoxication, GOA26 demonstrated a rapid reduction in blood alcohol concentration and multi-system biochemical recovery across metabolic, muscle, hematological and liver biomarkers.
- GOA26 is advancing toward human studies, with a planned IND submission to the U.S. FDA in Q4 2026.
- There is currently no FDA-approved drug that rapidly lowers blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in patients with acute alcohol intoxication and poisoning.
- GOA26 is being developed to give emergency physicians a direct intervention designed to rapidly lower blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and sequester acetaldehyde, addressing a significant unmet medical need.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL, Oct. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GOA Therapeutics Corporation (“GOA Therapeutics” or the “Company”), a biotechnology company developing first-in-class drug candidates for acute alcohol intoxication and poisoning, announced new data demonstrating biochemical stabilization with GOA26 in a porcine model of severe acute alcohol intoxication. The findings were presented yesterday at the American College of Emergency Physicians’ ACEP26 Scientific Assembly in Chicago.
The study compared GOA26 with ethanol-only controls in severe acute alcohol intoxication. GOA26 produced a distinct recovery profile across measured metabolic, liver-related, muscle-injury and hematological markers.
“Our goal is not simply to bring blood alcohol levels down. It is to help the body recover,” said Andrew Altschuler, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of GOA Therapeutics. “We are developing GOA26 to address ethanol and acetaldehyde together, with the aim of restoring biochemical balance following acute alcohol intoxication and poisoning. These are very encouraging results and tangible progress as we advance GOA26 toward the clinic.”
GOA26 combines an engineered enzyme designed to accelerate ethanol metabolism with a chemical scavenger designed to sequester acetaldehyde, the toxic byproduct generated as ethanol is broken down.
“GOA26 delivered dramatic biochemical improvements,” said Dr. Tami Ehrmann Barr, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of GOA Therapeutics. “Compared to the control group, GOA26-treated animals maintained stable glucose concentrations through 48 hours, showed a minimal 24-hour rise in urea, and had less persistent creatine kinase elevations. Our findings reinforce the rationale for targeting ethanol and acetaldehyde together. We plan to build on these findings in our clinical development program.”
Study Design and Findings
The study included 20 animals receiving oral ethanol at 2.5 g/kg, producing severe intoxication. Treated animals received GOA26 90 minutes after ethanol administration.
Investigators assessed blood counts and serum biochemistry at baseline, 24 hours and 48 hours.
Key results in GOA26-treated animals included:
- Metabolic markers: Glucose remained stable through 48 hours. The 24-hour urea increase was lower, with concentrations returning toward baseline by 48 hours. Phosphorus homeostasis was preserved.
- Liver-related markers: Albumin remained stable, and liver-enzyme measurements did not show a consistent pattern of progressive deterioration over the observation period.
- Muscle-injury markers: Creatine kinase elevations were less persistent with GOA26, with values declining toward baseline by 48 hours.
- Hematological markers: White blood cell, neutrophil and lymphocyte measurements showed a return toward baseline at 48 hours, while red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit showed greater longitudinal stability.
A Significant Unmet Need
Acute alcohol intoxication and poisoning represent a serious, unresolved medical challenge, with devastating consequences for patients and families and a substantial burden on emergency departments and trauma centers.
GOA estimates that alcohol-related emergencies account for approximately 5 million emergency department visits annually in the United States and more than 30 million globally. Alcohol poisoning can suppress breathing, impair protective reflexes and cause seizures, permanent brain damage or death.
GOA26 is being developed to give physicians a direct intervention designed to rapidly lower BAC and sequester acetaldehyde, with the aim of preventing life-threatening complications and improving patient outcomes.
Advancing Toward Clinical Development
GOA Therapeutics is advancing GOA26 through IND-enabling development toward human studies. The Company plans to build on these preclinical findings in its clinical development program and seek regulatory authorization to begin human studies.
GOA26 remains investigational and in preclinical development. It has not been approved by the FDA or any other regulatory authority, and its safety and efficacy have not been established in humans. Animal findings may not predict human outcomes.
About GOA Therapeutics
GOA Therapeutics Corporation is a biotechnology company developing first-in-class drug candidates for significant unmet medical needs. Its lead program, GOA26, is in preclinical development for acute alcohol intoxication and poisoning.
For more information, visit goathera.com and follow GOA on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Regulation A Offering and Testing-the-Waters Notice
GOA Therapeutics has filed an offering statement on Form 1-A with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a proposed Tier 2 offering under Regulation A. The offering statement has not yet been qualified by the SEC. The Preliminary Offering Circular, including risk factors and financial statements, is available at:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2131824/000121390026100224/ea0298465-1a_goathera.htm
No funds or other consideration are being sought for the proposed Regulation A offering through this communication. Any funds or other consideration submitted in response will not be accepted.
The Company cannot accept an offer to purchase securities or receive any portion of the purchase price before the SEC qualifies the offering statement. A prospective purchaser may withdraw or revoke an offer without any obligation or commitment at any time before receiving notice of acceptance issued after the qualification date.
An indication of interest creates no obligation or commitment of any kind.
Filing or qualification of the offering statement does not constitute SEC approval of the Company or its securities. The SEC has not endorsed the merits of the offering or determined that the offering materials are accurate or complete. An investment in the Company involves substantial risk, including the possible loss of the entire investment. Read the offering circular before making an investment decision.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding GOA26’s development, proposed mechanism, potential benefits, regulatory plans, future clinical studies and the proposed securities offering. These statements reflect current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the ability to obtain financing and regulatory authorizations, complete development activities, and establish safety and efficacy in humans. Preclinical findings may not be replicated in later studies. Additional risks are described in the Company’s offering statement and offering circular. Forward-looking statements speak as of the date of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update them except as required by law.
Contacts
Media: Andrew Altschuler | GOA Therapeutics | pr@goathera.com
Investor Relations: Graham Morrell | Gilmartin Group | ir@goathera.com
