FULL DISCLOSURE: This content is sponsored by PharmaDrug Inc.
PharmaDrug (CSE: PHRX) this morning revealed the strategic plans for its Sairiyo Therapeutics subsidiary in relation to the clinical development of PD-001, its patented formulation for an enteric-coated version of cepharanthine.
The drug, which earlier this month received approval for a first in-human phase 1 clinical study from the Australian Human Research Ethics Committee, is in the process of being assessed as a potential treatment for viral infectious diseases. This clinical study follows the drug previously being provided a $3.4 million contract from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency to be assessed for use in relation to the Ebola virus.
The current strategic plan calls for PD-001 to complete the phase 1 trial in Australia, after which Sairiyo will seek to advance its clinical development towards US FDA approval through pharmaceutical partnerships or government support. The subsidiary this morning indicated as part of that effort that it intends to approach the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which focuses on public health medical emergencies including pandemic influenza and infectious diseases.
The development follows Cepharanthine recently being highlighted in a piece published by the Journal of Infection, titled, “Highly accurate protein structure prediction and drug screen of monkeypox virus proteome.” While not peer-reviewed, the report suggests that Cepharanthine is said to display “significant binding affinities to all ten target proteins” that are potentially key proteins within the monkeypox virus.
“We are excited to finally be ready to advance PD-001 for clinical development as an anti-viral. In a world that we believe needs a larger arsenal to combat viral infectious diseases, cepharanthine has been highlighted in several studies and publications for the potential treatment of several viruses ranging from Ebola, to SARS/COVID and even the Zica Virus. [..] We look forward to further explore cepharanthine’s therapeutic prospects for a wide spectrum of viral infectious diseases including Mpox,” commented Robert Steen, CEO of PharmaDrug.
PharmaDrug last traded at $0.03 on the CSE.
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