Revive Therapeutics (CSE: RVV) announced today that it is expanding its research on oral drug Bucillamine. The firm decided to include determining the drug’s potential as a treatment for the emerging Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

In a study at the University of California, thiol-based drugs like Bucillamine have shown the capacity to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro, specifically the Delta variant. The said drugs can decrease the binding incidence of the virus’ spike protein to its receptor.

The drug has also been shown to reduce SARS-CoV-2-related lung injury in vivo.

Research also showed that Bucillamine inhibits cytokine production that induces inflammation, tissue and organ damage, and mortality. This process is highly upregulated in COVID-19 patients.

Based on these, the company is incorporating viral load testing and adding inflammatory markers into its ongoing phase 3 clinical trial for Bucillamine. This can potentially measure if the drug has a similar effect on the new virus variant, as well as understand the capacity of the drug as an anti-inflammatory agent.

In May, the firm entered into a sponsored research agreement with the University of California to explore Bucillamine as a treatment for severe COVID-19.

Revive Therapeutics last traded at $0.53 on the CSE.

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