Cocrystal Pharma Selects Two Lead Antiviral Drug Candidates for its COVID-19 Oral Drug Program

Cocrystal Pharma has announced the selection of two investigational novel antiviral drug candidates for further development as oral treatments for COVID-19. The company uses protein co-crystallization and x-ray crystallography technology based on the work of Nobel prize winner Dr. Roger Kornberg (the Chief Scientist and Chairman of Cocrystal’s Scientific Advisory Board). 

Cocrystal’s proprietary structure-based drug discovery platform technology enables the company in identifying the key components of viral enzymes involved in replication and design novel nucleosides /compounds to block their function thus preventing virus replication.

The new broad spectrum drug candidates named CDI-988 and CDI-873, were designed and developed using above mentioned proprietary technology. Although chemically different, both the candidates target a highly conserved cysteine residue in the active site of main (3CL) protease in SARS-CoV-2 which is essential for viral RNA replication. 

The Drug Candidates and Their Efficacy

Both CDI-988 and CDI-873 exhibited superior in vitro potency against SARS-CoV-2 with activity maintained even against current variants of Covid-19 including Omicron. 

In preclinical studies, both candidates demonstrated a favorable safety profile and pharmacokinetic properties supportive of daily oral dosing. The company plans to initiate a first-in-human trial with one selected candidate as soon as possible this year.

“We are excited to have discovered two lead COVID-19 oral antiviral candidates that both demonstrate highly encouraging preclinical efficacy and safety data,” said Sam Lee, Cocrystal’s President and interim co-CEO.

Cocrystal’s Multipronged Approach to Combat COVID-19

The company aims to develop multiple routes of administration of its antiviral therapeutics spanning from Oral, intravenous to intranasal routes.  

These novel antivirals are not only meant for hospitalized patients, but also for prophylactic use to provide protection to uninfected individuals who may become exposed.

Earlier this month, Cocrystal had received guidance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in response to the Company’s pre-Investigational New Drug (IND) briefing package for further development of an inhalation/pulmonary candidate- CDI-45205. 

CDI-45205, a protease inhibitor, was obtained by Cocrystal under an exclusive license agreement with the Kansas State University Research Foundation (KSURF) in 2020. The Company believes the FDA’s response clarifies the pathway for a planned Phase 1 study and provides direction for a subsequent Phase 2 study.

The Way ahead for Cocrystal Pharma

Cocrystal Pharma’s development programs include lead molecules for a wide variety of serious and/or chronic viral diseases ranging from influenza, hepatitis C, norovirus related gastroenteritis apart from COVID-19. 

Cocrystal Pharma is also engaged in an exclusive license and collaboration agreement with Merck to discover and develop certain proprietary influenza A/B antiviral. Its novel lead molecule CC-42344, binds to a highly conserved PB2 site of influenza polymerase complex inhibiting replication. It has shown excellent antiviral activity against influenza A strains, including avian pandemic strains and Tamiflu® resistant strains.

According to James Martin, Cocrystal’s CFO and interim co-CEO, apart from initiating two COVID-19 trials in 2022, the company also anticipates the completion of its influenza CC-42344 Phase 1 study this year.

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Author

Arvind C. Shekhar