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SFX-01 to be evaluated in COVID-19 trial
SFX-01 to be evaluated in COVID-19 trial.
About this update from Theracryf Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \n \n RNS Number : 1520Q\n Evgen Pharma PLC\n 17 June 2020\n \n \n \n \n Evgen Pharma plc\n \n \n \n \n \n (\"Evgen\" or the \"Company\")\n \n \n \n \n SFX-01 to be evaluated in COVID-19 trial\n \n \n \n \n \n Evgen Pharma plc\n (AIM: EVG), the clinical stage drug development company, is delighted to announce participation in the recently notified funding initiative for COVID-19 clinical trials by the medical research charity, LifeArc. Under this scheme Evgen's lead product candidate, SFX-01, has been selected for evaluation in a randomised Phase II/III trial to be sponsored by the University of Dundee (''Dundee''). The trial will investigate whether SFX-01 can reduce the severity, or prevent the onset of, acute respiratory distress syndrome (\"ARDS\") associated with COVID-19, thus reducing the need for invasive patient ventilation and potentially improving recovery times.\n \n \n \n \n SFX-01 upregulates the Nrf2 pathway which is part of the natural human defence against inflammatory and oxidative stress, such as the inflammation that occurs during a severe viral infection. Preclinical studies have shown that up-regulating the Nrf2 pathway reduces the severity of ARDS, the progressive lung damage observed in COVID-19 patients which can result in the need for invasive ventilation in an intensive care unit.\n \n \n \n The trial is being led by Professor James Chalmers, British Lung Foundation Professor of Respiratory Research at the University of Dundee. The study will recruit up to 300 patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 from hospitals across the UK. Half the group will receive SFX-01 in addition to standard hospital care while the other half will receive a placebo and standard hospital care. The study is expected to begin enrolment in July, and results are expected in 2021.\n \n Evgen will supply clinical centres with SFX-01 and a placebo as its contribution to the trial. No additional financing is required as the costs of providing SFX-01 for the trial are not material.\n \n \n \n \n The clinical study is being supported by a grant from LifeArc, as part of its activities to address the need for new therapies for COVID-19. LifeArc has made £10m available to repurpose existing medicines or those in the late stage of development, as this approach offers one of the...