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Cocrystal Pharma Receives HREC Approval to Initiate Phase 1 Study to Evaluate Oral Broad-Spectrum Coronavirus 3CL Protease Inhibitor CDI-988
BOTHELL, Wash., May 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: COCP) (Cocrystal or the Company) announces approval from the Australian Human
About this update from Cocrystal Pharma, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"BOTHELL, Wash., May 31, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: COCP) (Cocrystal or the Company) announces approval from the Australian Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) to conduct a Phase 1 study with its novel, oral, broad-spectrum 3CL protease inhibitor CDI-988 as a potential treatment for COVID-19. The Phase 1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalating study will assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of CDI-988 in healthy volunteers. CDI-988 exhibited superior in vitro potency against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses, and demonstrated a favorable safety profile and pharmacokinetic properties supportive of daily oral dosing. Cocrystal applied its proprietary drug discovery platform technology to design this investigational drug candidate. “We are excited to have accomplished this milestone and look forward to initiating our CDI-988 clinical program as an oral treatment for patients with COVID-19, as well as demonstrating our drug discovery platform technology capabilities,” said Sam Lee, Ph.D., Cocrystal’s President and co-CEO. “CDI-988 was designed to bind to a highly conserved region of coronavirus and other viral proteases. Recent findings from our preclinical studies also show pan-viral activity against different RNA viruses, enabling the potential for additional clinical benefits. Further exploration of this pan-viral activity is ongoing.” “Australia is the ideal location to conduct a cost-efficient, high-quality study,” said James Martin, CFO and co-CEO. “The Australian regulatory agency has streamlined the pathway for early-stage clinical studies and their government offers enticing financial incentives. We already have in place an Australian subsidiary and a relationship with a local contract research organization that we established with our influenza A Phase 1 study.” About SARS-CoV-2SARS-CoV-2 is part of a family of coronaviruses that historically has been associated with a wide range of responses in infected individuals, ranging from no symptoms to severe disease that includes pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), kidney failure and death. By targeting the viral replication enzymes and protease, Cocrystal believes it is possible to develop an effective treatment for all illnesses caused by coronaviruses including COVID-19, SARS and Middle Eas...