Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: COCP), (“Cocrystal” or the
“Company”), a clinical stage biotechnology company discovering and
developing novel antiviral therapeutics, today announced that
Sam Lee, Ph.D., President of Cocrystal, presented positive
preclinical data of CC-42344 at the ISIRV: Options X for the
Control of Influenza Conference being held August 28-September 1,
2019 in Singapore.
As part of his oral presentation, Dr. Lee
provided an overview of the Company’s distinct class of PB2
inhibitors developed utilizing its structure-based technology.
Cocrystal’s novel, potent, broad spectrum anti-influenza
preclinical lead molecule, CC-42344, targets the cap-binding PB2
domain and is active against a panel of seasonal, pandemic, and
Tamiflu-resistant influenza A strains. Additionally, Dr. Lee
presented in vitro characterization and mechanism of action of
these novel PB2 inhibitors.
The in vitro characterization and mechanism of
action was obtained through a process in which seven different
influenza A PB2 domains (H1N1, H2N2, H3N2, H5N1, and H7N9) were
purified for protein crystallization and biochemical assays. PB2
crystals and cocrystals were diffracted to 1.0 – 2.5 Å. Cytopathic
effect (CPE) assays measured antiviral activity.
“The data we have generated in this program
continue to be encouraging. Our unique structure-based platform
technology has continued to bolster our confidence in its potential
in the development of any antiviral drug. We believe our platform
has the potential to fuel a diverse pipeline that will have a
meaningful impact on a number of high-value indications, including
influenza,” commented Dr. Lee. “As a result, anti-influenza PB2
inhibitors have been developed for the treatment of seasonal and
pandemic influenza infections and we look forward to providing
additional updates as we explore the full potential of these novel
molecules.”
Results from the preclinical study demonstrated
high resolution X-ray cocrystal structures of CC-42344 and other
PB2 inhibitors, and further revealed a channel connected to the
high conserved m7GTP binding site. These novel PB2 inhibitors
showed broad spectrum activity, excellent anti-influenza activity
(EC50 <1 nM), and a strong synergistic effect with approved
influenza antivirals including Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Xofluxa
(baloxavir). In addition to the in vitro studies, the Company also
obtained favorable pharmacokinetic and ADMET profiles of these PB2
inhibitors.
Cocrystal is applying its proprietary platform
technology to develop novel, broad spectrum influenza antivirals
that are specifically designed to be effective against all
significant A strains of the influenza virus and to have a high
barrier to resistance due to the way they target the virus’s
replication machinery. CC-42344, the Company’s lead molecule for
the treatment of influenza A, binds to a highly conserved PB2 site
on the influenza polymerase complex and exhibits a novel mechanism
of action that inhibits viral replication. CC-42344 is currently
being evaluated in preclinical IND-enabling studies for the
treatment of influenza.
About the International Society for
Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Diseases (ISIRV)
The ISIRV is an independent and international
scientific professional society promoting the prevention,
detection, treatment, and control of influenza and other
respiratory virus diseases. Options X, the 10th edition of the
Options for the Control of Influenza conference, is ISIRV's premier
event and remains the largest international conference exclusively
dedicated to influenza prevention, control and treatment, including
seasonal flu and pandemic preparedness. Highlights of the meeting
include: new tracks on influenza co-infections with other viral
pathogens and key issues for policy making - a special session to
showcase the latest developments in Chinese-speaking countries -
and pre-conference workshops on a wide variety of topics including
technology, mathematical modelling and bioinformatics. For more
information, please visit the conference website.
About Cocrystal Pharma,
Inc.
Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. is a clinical stage
biotechnology company discovering and developing novel antiviral
therapeutics that target the replication machinery of influenza
viruses, hepatitis C viruses, and noroviruses. Cocrystal employs
unique structure-based technologies and Nobel Prize winning
expertise to create first- and best-in-class antiviral drugs. The
Company is developing CC-31244, an investigational, oral,
broad-spectrum replication inhibitor called a non-nucleoside
inhibitor (NNI). CC-31244 is currently being evaluated in a Phase
2a study for the treatment of hepatitis C as part of a cocktail for
ultra-short therapy of 4 to 6 weeks. Cocrystal recently entered
into an exclusive worldwide license and collaboration agreement
with Merck & Co., Inc. to discover and develop certain
proprietary influenza A/B antiviral agents. CC-42344, the Company’s
molecule for the treatment of influenza A, is currently being
evaluated in preclinical IND-enabling studies. In addition, the
Company has a pipeline of promising early preclinical programs and
continues to identify and develop novel antivirals for the
treatment of norovirus gastroenteritis using the Company’s
proprietary structure-based drug design technology platform. For
further information about Cocrystal, please visit
www.cocrystalpharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, including the prospects for CC-31244, CC-42344
and the Company’s pipeline of promising preclinical programs. The
words "believe," "may," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate,"
"intend," "should," "plan," "could," "target," "potential," "is
likely," "will," "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate
to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have
based these forward-looking statements largely on our current
expectations and projections about future events. Some or all of
the events anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not
occur. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not
limited to, risks arising from our reliance on continuing
collaboration with Merck under the collaboration agreement, the
availability of products manufactured by third parties, the future
results of preclinical and clinical studies, the research
organization’s inability to recruit subjects and complete the Phase
2a study in a timely manner or at all, including as the result of
civil unrest and political instability in Hong Kong, general risks
arising from clinical trials, receipt of regulatory approvals, our
ability to find and enter into agreements with suitable
collaboration partners, unanticipated litigation and other expenses
and factors that affect the capital markets in general and early
stage biotechnology companies specifically. Further information on
our risk factors is contained in our filings with the SEC,
including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2018 and the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30,
2019. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only
as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could
cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time,
and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake
no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future developments or
otherwise, except as may be required by law.
Investor and Media
Contact:Jenene Thomas Communications, LLC(833)
475-8247COCP@jtcir.com
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