BIOSPACE – After experiencing a global pandemic, it seems the only positive takeaway is the importance of preparedness in the face of the unknown.
The world needs to adjust to the possibility that another wave could lead to supply chain shortages, medical understaffing and inadequate treatment options.
Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been increased interest in developing a universal antiviral that would stop a pandemic in its tracks.
Hyundai Bioscience announced this week that the Phase II clinical trial for CP-COV03 (niclosamide-based), an experimental universal antiviral agent, has begun.
The trial investigates the efficacy of orally administered CP-COV03 in patients with COVID-19, but the drug holds potential beyond COVID-19.
“Our pan-viral vaccine harnesses the same protection mechanism that naturally protects us from viral diseases – a healthy immune system.” – Immunovative CEO and Founder, Michael Har-Noy, MD, Ph.D.
The drug is intended to treat a broad spectrum of viral infections, including those not yet discovered. If such a drug were to become routine, pandemics could be preventable.
In a press release, Hyundai explained the company’s ambitions:
“The discovery of a substance with the mechanism that kills bacteria led to the 20th-century medicine called penicillin…CP-COV03 with a mechanism to eliminate viruses by promoting autophagy will be the first universal antiviral drug like penicillin.”
CP-COV03 has shown high efficacy in preclinical data from a study conducted at the Korea Zoonosis Research Institute (KoZRI), Jeonbuk National University in Korea. The agent has dual mechanisms that inhibit viral replication and simultaneously destroy the virus.
This was made possible through a collaboration with CNPharm. CNPharm reformulated traditional Niclosamide, which was discovered in 1958 but deemed unusable in common form due to a short half-life and low bioavailability. The new formulation utilized CNPharm’s drug delivery system, which improved the half-life and bioavailability hindrances … READ MORE.
