NEW YORK, July 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- AIkido Pharma
Inc. (Nasdaq: AIKI) ("AIkido" or the "Company") today provided an
update on its effort to identify compounds to potentially address
the COVID-19 pandemic. As previously announced, on April 13, 2020, AIkido executed a Master License
Agreement with the University of Maryland,
Baltimore ("UMB"), covering certain antiviral compounds
discovered by UMB.
Recently, the researchers at UMB, including Matthew Frieman, PhD, Associate Professor of
Microbiology and Immunology at the University
of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), Alexander MacKerell, PhD, Professor of
Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of
Maryland School of Pharmacy, and Stuart Weston, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow at
UMSOM, have identified a human protein complex (called the SKI
complex) that is important for replication of several viruses
including Influenza, COVID-19, SARS1, MERS, SARS2, Ebola and
Marburg. Using a computer modeling approach called SILCS from
SilcsBio LLC, chemical compounds were identified that are predicted
to bind to a pocket on a human protein in this complex. These
compounds were tested for their ability to block replication of the
Influenza virus in human cells, from which several active compounds
were found. These compounds were then tested against the other
viruses and found to block replication of these as well. Utilizing
the information gleaned from this initial research and the power of
the SILCS technology combined with machine learning tools, the
researchers are currently identifying compounds with chemical
structures similar to the active compounds and testing them to find
ones that work better at blocking virus replication.
"This is encouraging progress, demonstrating the importance of
machine learning to accelerate pharmaceutical research," commented
Anthony Hayes, CEO of AIkido.
"Legacy processes, involving manually testing potentially thousands
of compounds, are slower and potentially more expensive. Utilizing
a combination of a physics-based approach and machine learning, our
partners are able to significantly narrow the range of potential
compounds to test, accelerating efforts and significantly reducing
costs. The ultimate goal is to create a new compound that blocks
replication of a wide variety of viruses in humans that will be an
effective drug for the treatment of known viral infections as well
as those that may arise in the future."
About AIkido
AIkido was initially formed in 1967 and is a biotechnology
company with a diverse portfolio of small-molecule anti-cancer
therapeutics. The Company's platform consists of patented
technology from leading universities and researchers and we are
currently in the process of developing an innovative therapeutic
drug platform through strong partnerships with world renowned
educational institutions, including The University of Texas at Austin and Wake Forest University. Our diverse pipeline of
therapeutics includes therapies for pancreatic cancer, acute
myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). In
addition, we are constantly seeking to grow our pipeline to treat
unmet medical needs in oncology. The Company is also
developing a broad spectrum antiviral platform that may potentially
inhibit replication of multiple viruses including Influenza virus,
SARS-CoV (coronavirus), MERS-CoV, Ebolavirus and Marburg virus.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release constitute
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal
securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should,"
"believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue,"
"predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar
expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current
expectations, are forward-looking statements. While the Company
believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue
reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking
statements, which are based on information available to us on the
date of this release. These forward looking statements are based
upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to
various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation those
set forth in the Company's filings with the SEC, not limited to
Risk Factors relating to its business contained therein. Thus,
actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly
disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as
required by law.
Contact:
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Investor
Relations:
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Hayden IR
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Brett Maas, Managing
Partner
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Phone: (646)
536-7331
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Email:
brett@haydenir.com
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www.haydenir.com
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AIkido:
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Phone:
212-745-1373
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Email:
investorrelations@AIkido.com
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www.AIkido.com
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SOURCE AIkido Pharma Inc.