Orally-Administered Antiviral Candidate 'Inhibited' COVID-19

Israel based RedHill Biopharma Ltd. announced on September 8, 2020, that opaganib demonstrated potent inhibition of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, achieving complete blockage of viral replication in an in vitro model of human lung bronchial tissue. Opaganib is currently being evaluated in global Phase 2/3 and U.S. Phase 2 clinical studies for the treatment of severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Results from this study 'showed a clear and compelling antiviral effect of opaganib against SARS-CoV-2,' stated the company's press statement.

Mark L. Levitt, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director at RedHill, added: “We are accelerating progress toward our goal of generating a robust data package to potentially support emergency use authorizations for COVID-19.”

Opaganib is a first-in-class, orally-administered, sphingosine kinase-2 (SK2) selective inhibitor with dual anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activity that targets a host cell component, unaffected by viral mutation, thus minimizing the likelihood of resistance, says the company.