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Tag: COVID-19

  • How Vaccine Stocks performed after prolonged FDA Approval

    Things are getting interesting in the COVID-19 vaccine space. Pharmaceutical firms are fighting against the global pandemic. Big US pharma’s who are part of this vaccine manufacturing drive have their stocks in the gold mine.

    Last Monday on August 23, shares of Pfizer (PFE) soared massively following the formal approval of its vaccine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. You rarely see a market that’s this straightforward, but anything with any cyclicality roared on the Pfizer story. This news almost took Pfizer stock to its all-time high.

    Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine stands at the top of the table among other companies. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is also the first COVID-19 vaccine to be fully approved by the FDA.

    With the first vaccine approval, other companies also got in line with the FDA approval. Moderna also got approved.

    So, there are a lot of upsides for vaccine stocks. For investors, this is a golden opportunity to avail. Before we kick off with the vaccine stocks. We’d like to clear that Pfizer and BioNTech are two different companies that have collaborated on this vaccine project.

    Pfizer (PFE)

    Pfizer shares really took off last week when the news of FDA approval was announced. What does this vaccine approval mean for Pfizer investors?

    The recent reaction of investors to the vaccine approval was obvious. The market reacts favorably to positive news, especially these days when it’s related to the COVID-19 pandemic. But there’s much more to it.

    The vaccine approval will provide legal backing for the vaccine mandates a lot of companies and government organizations are planning to implement. Moreover, it’ll help get meaningful results on making people more comfortable getting the vaccine.

    The COVID vaccine has been a massive boon to Pfizer’s business. The firm expects $33.5 billion in revenue from Covid-19 vaccines this year. Pfizer stock has already touched the $50 mark on August 2021. It could break that once again following more good news.

    And, the company has announced one. Pfizer isacquiringthe cancer drug company Trillium Therapeutics for $18.50 per share, at a compound value of $2.3 billion. Pfizer invested nearly $25 million in Trillium in 2020, so they are enhancing their portfolio.

    BioNTech (BNTX)

    Before we begin with BNTX stock, let’s get this clear. COVID vaccine stocks are here to last much longer than expected. Analysts are counting on a long tail for COVID vaccines.

    One of the biggest mistakes investors make is seeing a stock go up and thinking they missed the boat. Guess what you haven’t. You will always have time to get into the market, but the best is to do it at the right time. That’s why it’s important to consider a stock like BioNTech.

    So far, BNTX stock has rallied up to 962% since the beginning of 2020. But a lot has happened since. The company’s future might be even brighter than its recent past. If so, there could be a lot of gains left for shareholders and potential investors.

    Over the past three weeks, BioNTech shares have fallen. There’s a lot of debate going on in the US on booster doses. BioNTech along with Pfizer can make easy money via the supply of boosters.

    Moderna (MRNA)

    Moderna (MRNA) is really making some pump as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weighs in on if America should get the third dose. Currently, the company estimates about $19 billion in revenue from the shots in 2021. And, if the US government authorizes the booster shots, Moderna will really add a huge chunk of money to its revenue.

    Earlier in August this year, Moderna stock crossed the $410 mark. At the moment, it trades around $386. Analysts are expecting Moderna to pump either way, as it depends on the government regarding the third shot.

    In the long-term, Moderna looks like a solid vaccine stock and it will continue its momentum. Moreover, the company has also applied for full FDA approval.

    So, Moderna’s vaccine is expected to become the second COVID vaccine that the FDA would approve.

    The company expects to advance its cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine candidate into late-stage testing in 2021. So, for Moderna, there is much going on at the moment.

    Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)

    Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine was the third to secure U.S. authorization for emergency use. Unlike the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, JNJ’s vaccine takes full effect after only a single dose.

    Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine has had issues, and it has faced some backlash. The company had some manufacturing problems at a contractor’s facility, and concerns about blood clotting. This issue caused a temporary halt in the U.S. of the vaccine’s administration.

    However, this hasn’t been a big concern for the Johnson & Johnson investors. The company is selling its COVID-19 vaccine at cost during the pandemic, meaning that it doesn’t much affect Johnson & Johnson’s financial performance.

    In contrast, Johnson & Johnson surpassed Wall Street’s second-quarter forecasts and JNJ stock topped a buy point.

    Johnson & Johnson is so big that its success doesn’t depend on one product. Analysts believe JNJ stock looks good in the long term regardless of vaccine issues. Although there are still questions being asked regarding its vaccine.

    Novavax (NVAX)

    Novavax (NVAX) stock hasn’t performed the way they accepted it for a vaccine stock. Rather, it has reacted abruptly. Novavax hasn’t yet won any authorization or approval for its COVID-19 vaccine. So, it makes some sense why the stock has been up and down in 2021 so far.

    The company plans to file for regulatory authorizations in the U.S., U.K., and Europe in the third quarter of 2021. Recently, the company again delayed its timeline for seeking U.S. authorization for its vaccine. The company expects to become a major distributor to lower and middle-income countries this year.

    Following a late-stage clinical study conducted in the U.S. and Mexico, Novavax reported an overall efficacy of 90.4% for its experimental coronavirus vaccine.

    The COVID-19 keeps on reappearing with new variants every time. Novavax can enter the vaccine game late, but it could still be a big winner in the COVID-19 vaccine market.

    September 23, 2021
  • Travena, Inc. (TRVN) Stock Exhibits Minor Volatility Following First Patient Enrolment in ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Trial

    Travena, Inc. (TRVN) Stock Exhibits Minor Volatility Following First Patient Enrolment in ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Trial

    Travena, Inc. (TRVN) stock prices were down 3.24% shortly after market trading commenced on July 27th, 2021, bringing the price per share down to USD$1.3464.

    First Patient Enrolment

    July 26th, 2021 saw TRVN stock announce the enrollment of its first patient in the ACTIV-4 Host Tissue (Accelerating Covid-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines) trial. With the end of Covid-19 requiring a multi-pronged solution, TRVN stock is excited to be developing TRV027 as a pioneering active treatment arm available for patient randomization.

    ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Trial

    The ACTIV-4 Host Tissue trial serves to evaluate four investigational agents that fight dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and immune system irregularities caused by Covid-19 infections. The treatment is a novel AT1 receptor selective agonist that targets the AT1 receptor to bind to within the RAAS, thereby obstructing the damaging pathway that results in acute lung damage and abnormal blood clotting. TRVN stock’s treatment activates the cellular pathway that selectively targets reparative actions that improve lung function and promote anti-inflammatory effects.

    TRVN Stock’s Efforts Against Pandemic

    More than 1600 patients will be enrolled across 50 sites spanning the United States for the TRVN stock’s trial. TRV027 is part of the initial trial launch, with additional study arms being added to the trial over time. The study will serve to evaluate the impact of each intervention on recovery, supplemental oxygen use, need for mechanical ventilation, organ failure, and mortality. As the global Covid-19 pandemic continues to devastate the globe, the development of interventions remains a top priority, aiming to combat the vascular, fibrotic, and inflammatory damage done by the virus.

    About the Trial

    The ACTIV-4 Host Tissue is a multi-site, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with multiple treatment arms. Each arm is expected to enroll roughly 300-400 Covid-19 patients that are 18 years of age or older. The four trial arms will test investigational agents that target the RAAS or immune system through distinct mechanisms of action. The trial is designed for TRVN stock to determine whether modulation of these systems is a viable solution to preventing progression to critical illness in hospitalized Covid-19 patients.

    Future Outlook for TRVN Stock

    Armed with the initiation of patient testing in its ACTIV-4 Host Tissue trial, TRVN stock is poised to capitalize on the opportunities afforded to it. The company is keen to leverage the resources at its disposal to usher in significant long-term growth, which investors hope will translate into gains in shareholder value.

  • AzurRx BioPharma, Inc. (AZRX) Stock Suffers Following Upsizing of Previously Announced Public Offering

    AzurRx BioPharma, Inc. (AZRX) stock prices were down 19.66% as of the market closing on July 23rd, 2021, bringing the price per share down to USD$0.5690. Subsequent premarket fluctuations saw the stock rally by 12.48%, bringing it up to USD$0.64.

    AZRX Upsizes Offering

    July 22nd, 2021 saw AZRX stock announce the increasing of the size of its previously announced public offering because of unexpected demand. The underwriter has agreed to purchase on a firm commitment basis 9,090,910 shares of common stock of the company. The price was the same as the public offering, with each share being priced at USD$0.55. The closing of the transaction is expected for July 27th, 2021.

    Details of the Offering

    the offering comes equipped with a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,363,636 shares of common stock at the same public offering price. AZRX stock expects generating USD$5 million in gross proceeds before the deduction of expenses related to the offering and the execution of the option to purchase additional shares. The capital raised is expected to be used to pay milestone payments as per existing license agreements.

    AZRX Stock Hits RESERVOIR Milestone

    Earlier on June 7th, 2021, AZRX stock announced the administration of the first dose of FW-1022 to a volunteer in its ongoing Phase 2 RESERVOIR clinical trial. The proprietary treatment comes in tablet form and is designed to treat Covid-19-related GI infections. The company forecasts topline results from the trial for the first quarter of 2022. This development marks a significant milestone for the company and the development of niclosamide.

    Scope of FW-1022

    With no existing approved treatments for GI infections stemming from Covid-19, the success of AZRX’s development program could help prevent reinfection and, therefore, the spread of Covid-19. FW-1022 also has the potential to treat severe complications that are believed to results from SARS-CoV-2’s ability to hide in reservoirs within the GI tract. The company is confident that its micronized oral niclosamide therapy can target the virus directly in the gut. This will play a critical role in the treatment of Covid-19 patients that suffer from the damage caused by Covid-19-related GI infection.

    Future Outlook for AZRX

    With the world hurtling towards universal immunizations, AZRX stock is poised to capitalize on the burgeoning market. Keen to continue its trajectory of success, the company plans to regain momentum with its added capital and reverse the recent downward trend. Investors are confident in management’s ability to produce significant and sustained increases in shareholder value.

  • Immunome, Inc. (IMNM) Stock Skyrockets Following Promising Results of IMM-BCP-01 in Neutralizing Delta Variant of Covid-19

    Immunome, Inc. (IMNM) Stock Skyrockets Following Promising Results of IMM-BCP-01 in Neutralizing Delta Variant of Covid-19

    Immunome, Inc. (IMNM) stock prices soared by 20.85% shortly after market trading commenced on July 20th, 2021, bringing the price per share up to USD$20.11 early on in the trading day.

    IMM-BCP-01

    July 20th, 2021 saw the company announced the potent neutralizing activity demonstrated by its three-antibody cocktail (IMM-BCP-01) against the Delta variant of the coronavirus pandemic. The treatment also showed in-vitro activity via non-neutralizing mechanics, such as complement fixation, which the company anticipates enabling viral clearance for the treatment.

    Addressing Delta Variant Concerns

    With the highly concerning evolution of the Covid-19 virus taking the world by storm, the company is hopeful that its drug candidate is adequately positioned to become a leader in the global fight against the deadly coronavirus. The treatment’s ability to maintain neutralizing activity against the newer Covid-19 variants is highly promising, with its mechanisms of action targeting at least three non-overlapping epitopes. The mechanisms are informed by an authentic human immune response and provide a robust defense against future mutational drift.

    Expediting Development

    With the majority of the current cases in the United States reporting infection with the Delta variant of the coronavirus, the company was awarded USD$17.6 million as a technology award to aid the development of the treatment. Granted by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense in collaboration with the Defense Health Agency, the award serves to accelerate the availability of the treatment as the world hurtles towards universal immunizations.

    Ahead of the Curve

    With cases finally dwindling down, the United States is on high alert for the near-term potential for a resurgence of coronavirus infections, as a result of the emerging variants. The company is exploring all options to expedite the development of IMM-BCP-01, with plans to submit an IND application with the U.S Food and Drug Administration as early as this quarter. The biopharmaceutical company leverages its proprietary human memory B cell platform in a bit to aid the discovery and development of first-in-class antibody therapeutics.

    Future Outlook for IMNM

    Armed with a promising drug candidate that could address the massive gap that arose in the marketspace as a result of the proliferation of the Delta variant, IMNM is poised to capitalize on the expanded scope of the opportunities afforded to it. Investors are hopeful that management will be able to spearhead the commercialization and proliferation of IMM-BCP-01, thus resulting in increases in shareholder value over the long term.

  • NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NRXP) Stock Surges ZYESAMI Role in Pandemic Response

    NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NRXP) Stock Surges ZYESAMI Role in Pandemic Response

    NRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NRXP) stock prices skyrocketed by 42.84% shortly after market trading commenced on July 19th 2021, bringing the price per share up to USD$12.17 early on in the trading day.

    ZYESAMI’s Role in Covid-19

    July 21st, 2021 saw the company announce data about ZYESAMI (aviptadil) at the Disease Control and Prevention Summit., in regard to the role of the treatment in preventing Cytokine Storm in Covid-19 patients. The presentation will showcase the statistically significant effect of ZYESAMI in mitigating the sharp rise in cytokines, which are closely linked to mortality in Covid-19 patients. This was consolidated by the completion of a recent Phase 2b/3 trial of ZYESAMI, wherein the change in cytokine level was a prespecified endpoint.

    Details of the Study

    Patients treated in the study showed a minimal increase in IL-6, as compared to patients treated with a placebo reported a statistically significant elevation in interleukin 6 cytokine levels. The patient set was diverse, with varying levels of the severity of Covid-19 infection and distribution among both tertiary care and community hospitals.

    Accelerated Development

    The findings have been submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as supplements to the Emergency Use Authorization application that has been submitted as is currently pending. The company is also submitting a biomarker letter of intent to the FDA as a part of its biomarker program, as pre the authorization of the 21st Century Cures Act.

    Scope of ZYESAMI

    With Covid-19 hospitalizations continuing to rise around the world, the placebo-controlled biomarker data signals the critical role that ZYESAMI has the potential to play in the prevention of the sudden elevation of cytokines that is linked to mortality. A biomarker-based regulatory path seems cleared on the basis of the link established between the clinical effect of ZYESAMI on survival and recovery in conjunction with measurable biologic chance in cytokine levels. The effects of a cytokine storm are lethal and are associated with mortality resulting from a variety of fatal conditions, including, but not limited to, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a common cause of death in sepsis, and amniotic fluid embolus.

    Future Outlook for NRXP

    Armed with a highly promising advancement in the fight against the continuing global coronavirus pandemic, NRXP is poised to capitalize on the prospective market space that has become accessible to it. With such spearheaded market penetration, current and potential investors are hopeful that management will be able to leverage their resources to facilitate effective distribution of the offering in a timely manner to ensure maximum profitability.

  • Trinity Biotech PLC (TRIB) Stock Surges Higher Following Announcement of Proliferation of Covid-19 Testing Space

    Trinity Biotech PLC (TRIB) Stock Surges Higher Following Announcement of Proliferation of Covid-19 Testing Space

    Trinity Biotech PLC (TRIB) stock prices were up 11.70% shortly after market trading commenced on July 16th, 2021, bringing the price per share up to USD$2.229 early on in the trading day.

    Rapid Antigen Test

    The company reported being at an advanced stage in the development of an antigen test for the coronavirus that has been devastating the globe. The company leverages its core lateral flow technology to develop the test, which can be utilized without any specialized equipment, providing a result in 12 minutes. Accessibility is further enhanced with its easy-to-use anterior nasal swab sample.

    Scope of Antigen Test

    With the onset of the global coronavirus having signaled an unfathomable long-term toll on economies across the world, the world’s ongoing efforts to mitigate and eventually nullify its effects persist. As public health efforts continue with full force, antigen tests have played a critical role in the overall diagnostic response. As the world hurtles towards universal immunization, the company expects antigen tests to be a part of the core response to the pandemic, in combination with Covid-19 vaccinations.

    Rapid Antibody Test

    June 2021 saw the company submit a EUA application to the FDA for the UniGold Covid-19 rapid antibody test, which detects IgG antibodies against the coronavirus. The antibody test demonstrated a 100% sensitivity and a specificity of 95% over the course of the validation studies. The test was measured against a comparator PCR method which facilitated the confirmation of prior infection.

    EUA Application

    July 2021 saw the FDA inform TRIB that its application for the Emergency Use Authorization of the serological test would not currently be prioritized, on account of the sheer volume of EUA requests currently being processed by the government agency. In order to facilitate the timely commercialization and proliferation of its treatment, the company is exploring additional prospective pathways that would see it gain regulatory approval, thus allowing sales of the test in the U.S. Hitherto, any such potential options have required too significant and additional investment for them to be viable.

    Future Outlook for TRIB

    With the world’s continued efforts towards the aim of making the coronavirus a thing of the past, TRIB is poised to capitalize on the access it has gained to a burgeoning market. The company is keen to leverage its resources in order to drive increased market penetration. Current and potential investors are hopeful for the stock price to recover and increase over the long term.

  • Qualigen Therapeutics, Inc. (QLGN) Stock on the Rise Following IND Submission for Novel Covid-19 Treatment, QN-165

    Qualigen Therapeutics, Inc. (QLGN) stock prices were up 1.6854% as of the market opening on July 14th, 2021, with premarket trading having seen the stock rise sharply. As of writing, the price per share of QLGN stock was USD$1.81.

    IND Submission

    July 14th, 2021 saw the biotechnology company announce the submission of an Investigational New Drug Application to the U.S Food and Drug Administration with an initial target indication for the treatment of hospitalized Covid-19 patients with the company’s QN-165. The DNA aptamer is a broad-based antiviral drug candidate that has shown antiviral activity in various in vitro assays against a plethora of viruses.

    Milestone for QLGN

    The significant milestone is the first IND application submitted by the company for its most advanced therapeutics program. The IND application submission for Phase 1b/2a clinical trials for QN-165 represents another step in the company’s evolution from a globally patented and commercially successful diagnostics company to a clinical-stage therapeutics company with multiple programs.

    QN-165

    QN-165 is a unique drug candidate that presents an entirely novel approach to combating viruses, which the company thinks it will be able to work against all virus strains and variants. The treatment is a piece of synthetic DNA that does not target the coronavirus directly, as existing treatments do. Rather, it targets and binds to the nucleolin protein and has the capacity to enter cells that overexpress nucleolin. Nucleolin is exploited by viruses such as Covid-19 to gain access to a cell, manipulating it for its own viral replication purposes.

    Scope of QN-165

    By tying up nucleolin, QN-165 is anticipated to block the mechanism entirely, thus preventing the virus replication process. Because of this, even the mutation of the virus is not expected to result in a loss of efficacy of the treatment, on account of nucleolin being targeted instead of the virus itself. This is what the company believes will make the treatment effective against a plethora of viral mutations, including all strains and variants of the novel coronavirus.

    Future Outlook for QLGN

    With the world hurtling towards global immunizations, the onslaught of variants and strains that pop up across the globe are becoming an increasingly significant concern. Treatments such as QN-165 are set to address those concerns, thereby signaling the massive potential for commercialization and proliferation of the expansive market. Investors are hopeful that management will leverage its resources to deliver the treatment as quickly as possible, thus ensuring maximum increases in shareholder value.

  • Humanigen, Inc. (HGEN) Stock Trending Higher Following MHRA Acceptance of Lenzilumab Marketing Authorization Submission

    Humanigen, Inc. (HGEN) Stock Trending Higher Following MHRA Acceptance of Lenzilumab Marketing Authorization Submission

    Humanigen, Inc. (HGEN) stock prices were up by 1.96% as of the market closing on July 8th, 2021, bringing the price per share up to USD$16.65. Subsequent premarket fluctuations saw the stock rise by 17.24%, bringing it up to USD$19.52.

    Market Authorization Submission Accepted

    July 9th 2021 saw the company announce the acceptance of its Market Authorization submission of lenzilumab as a treatment for Covid-19, having begun in June 2021. The UK’s Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gave the green light for accelerated Covid-related rolling review, with the assessment expected to occur on a short timescale than a standard rolling review.

    Working Towards the Acceptance

    HGEN held various meetings with different UK authorities in the time leading up to the initiation of the submission for Marketing Authorization. This included, but was not limited to, a Rapid C-19 multiagency meeting with representatives from the MHRA, the Therapeutics Taskforce (TTF), the Dept. of Health and Social Care (DHSC), National Health Service England (NHSE), and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

    Scope of Lenzilumab

    The proliferation of various strains of the coronavirus across the globe emphasize the continued need for effective treatments that can treat various strains for the millions that are still left unvaccinated. Despite an 86% first dose vaccination rate across the UK, current week-long hospitalization rates were nearly 2,500, a 45% increase over the prior period. Deaths in the UK resulting from Covid-19 were up to 161 over the prior week, a 40% increase from the numbers reported in the week before.

    Waiting Game

    The company continues to collaborate with its partners to situate themselves for the most effective distribution of lenzilumab, as they wait for the pending conditional approval of the use of the treatment in patients hospitalized because of Covid-19. With Market Authorization pending, HGEN is also waiting on Emergency Use Authorization in the United States. Should they be awarded concurrently, the company is preparing itself to ensure the appropriate allocation of the treatment in both the U.K and the U.S.

    Future Outlook for HGEN

    With the world hurtling towards global immunizations, HGEN is capitalizing on the available market space as newer variants of the coronavirus continue to devastate the globe. Current and potential investors are hopeful that the company will be able to leverage its resources to consolidate and expand its market footprint in order to usher in significant growth over the long term.

  • VBI Vaccines Inc. (VBIV) Stock Dips Despite Promising Data from Covid-19 Vaccine Trial

    VBI Vaccines Inc. (VBIV) Stock Dips Despite Promising Data from Covid-19 Vaccine Trial

    VBI Vaccines Inc. (VBIV) stock prices were down by 8.5586% some time after market trading commenced on June 29th 2021, bringing the price up to USD$3.6668 earlier on in the trading day.

    Positive Trial Data

    The company announced on June 29th the positive Phase 1 data from its Phase 1/2 of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate, VBI-2902a. The trial saw the administering of the enveloped virus-like particle (eVLP) in healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 54. The 5µg dose expressed an optimized Covid-19 spike antigen, having been adjuvanted with aluminum phosphate.

    Trial Results

    It was generally well-tolerated and exhibited potent immune responses from subjects that were significantly higher than those seen in human convalescent sera. The potency of the eVLP particulate delivery platform against Covid-19 was demonstrated with the findings establishing a robust human proof-of-concept at a low dose and without the use of a next-generation adjuvant.

    Developing eVLPs

    The highly encouraging data furthers the development of the treatment that is being pushed towards commercialization with the support of the Canadian government, CEPI, and the National Research Council of Canada. The next phase of the ongoing adaptive Phase 1/2 study involved the assessment of VBI-2905a, with the commencement of this part of the trial anticipated for the third quarter of 2021.The company is also allocating resources towards developing multivalent eVLP candidates, which are designed to increase the scope of protection against Covid-19. A clinical study of one of these candidates is expected to commence in the first half of 2022.

    Details of the Trial

    The ongoing adaptive Phase 1/2 clinical study is randomized and placebo-controlled, with observers also being blind. Phase 1 assessed a 5µg dose of VBI-2902a, adjuvanted with aluminum phosphate. Treatment regimens included both one and two doses, with the second being administered 28 days after the initial jab. The Phase 1 part of the study saw a total of 61 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 54, with no history of having been vaccinated against Covid-19.

    Future Outlook for VBIV

    With the world hurtling towards universal immunizations, VBIV is poised to continue its trajectory of success. The company is keen to usher in further growth as it continues to push for increased market penetration. Current and potential investors are hopeful that management will continue to leverage the resources at their disposal to facilitate significant and sustained increases in shareholder value

  • Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (COCP) Stock Trends Higher Following Announcement of Covid-19 Treatment Potential

    Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (COCP) stock prices stayed stable over the course of the market day on June 17th, 2021. Subsequent pre-market fluctuations have seen the stock climb by 3.85%, bringing it up to USD$1.35.

    CDI-45205

    The company announced on June 14th, 2021 that it had successfully demonstrated that its lead preclinical Covid-19 3CL protease inhibitor CDI-45205 is active against SARS-CoV-2, as well as two of its primary variant strains. The company contracted a third party lab to conduct in vitro studies designed to evaluate the antiviral activity of CDI-45205 and its analogs in VeryE6-eGFP cells that were infected. Infected cells were affected by the Wuhan strain, the United Kingdom strain, and the South African variant.

    Scope of CDI-45205

    CDI-45205 and its analogs exhibited exceptional antiviral activity against each of the variant strains, going so far as to surpass the activity observed with the Wuhan strain. The FDA-approved Covid-19 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor, remdesivir, and PF-00835231, a second protease inhibitor, were both reference inhibitors that the study was compared against. Results demonstrated CDI-45205’s excellent activity against the UK variant, with an EC50 of 1.9 uM, while activity against the South African variant exhibited an EC50 of 2.5 uM. As absence of a P-glycoprotein efflux, inhibitor is assumed in both cases.

    Cumulative Growth

    The company intends to continue conducting research into antiviral activity against other emerging variants, such as the up-and-coming Indian strain. The latest disclosed results add to the growing body of preclinical data findings of CDI-45205. Evidence suggests the new data implies the use of the protease inhibitor as an effective treatment of the coronavirus and its variants that have taken the world by storm for over a year now. Furthermore, company scientists continue to use COCP’s proprietary structure-based drug discovery platform technology to facilitate the investigation of broad-spectrum oral protease inhibitors and replication inhibitors for the treatment of Covid-19.

    Agreement with KSURF

    CDI-45205 was announced to have been selected by COCP on December 2020 as its lead Covid-19 development candidate. It was picked from a group of protease inhibitors that came into COCP’s possession through an exclusive license agreement with Kansas State University Research Foundation, which was announce earlier in 2020.

    Future Outlook for COCP

    With the world hurtling towards universal immunizations in the interest of a return to economic and social normalcy, COCP is primed to capitalize on the urgent demand for coronavirus treatments around the world. Current and potential investors are hopeful that management will continue to leverage the resources at their disposal to facilitate significant and sustained increases in shareholder value.