Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: COCP), (“Cocrystal” or
the “Company”), a clinical stage biotechnology company
discovering and developing novel antiviral therapeutics,
today announced the publication of preclinical animal studies of
coronavirus antiviral compounds in the renowned medical journal,
Science Translational Medicine.
The manuscript titled, “The 3C-like protease
inhibitors with potent in-vitro inhibition against SARS-CoV-2 and
therapeutic efficacy in MERS-CoV infected mice,” was published
online in the 3 August 2020 Science Translational Medicine Journal.
Authors of the published manuscript were Athri D. Rathnayake, Jian
Zheng, Yunjeong Kim, Krishani Dinali Perera, Samantha Mackin, David
Meyerholz, Maithri M. Kashipathy, Kevin P. Battaile, Scott Lovell,
Stanley Perlman, William C. Groutas, Kyeong-Ok Chang.
Data presented in the publication is included in
the Company’s two exclusive license agreements with Kansas State
University Research Foundation (“KSURF”) for new coronavirus
antiviral compounds with novel mechanism of action.
“Our license agreement with KSURF has continued
to exhibit the potential and broad utility of our platform to
address the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 worldwide
pandemic. To have this compelling data included in the prestigious
publication, Science Translational Medicine, is a testament to the
potential of these inhibitors to treat COVID-19. The publication
supports the quality and importance of the work performed by the
group of co-authors,” commented Dr. Gary Wilcox, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Cocrystal.
Under the license agreements with KSURF,
Cocrystal has been granted an exclusive, royalty-bearing right and
license to certain antiviral compounds for humans and small
molecule therapeutic inhibitors against coronaviruses,
picornaviruses and caliciviruses covered by patent rights
controlled by KSURF. Cocrystal intends to continue development of
these antiviral compounds for coronavirus. These licenses
significantly expand and further advance the Company's COVID-19
program by providing more targeted and potent compounds.
“We are incredibly enthusiastic with the
positive preclinical data and the solid foundation we believe these
inhibitors provide for advancing development of SARS-CoV-2
treatment,” added Dr. Sam Lee, President of Cocrystal. “The potent
activity and the effectiveness of the mechanism of action
demonstrated by these coronavirus protease inhibitors is very
encouraging. Of utmost interest was the activity seen from a select
number of compounds in the study series which were shown to be
effective in vitro against SARS-CoV-2. In addition, we continue
applying our proprietary platform technology to further optimize
properties of lead molecules and are also exploring multiple routes
of administration of these COVID-19 antivirals. These findings
bolster our belief in the broad-spectrum capabilities and
demonstrated proof-of-concept therapeutic efficacy of these
inhibitors against human and animal coronaviruses.”
Cocrystal initiated its preclinical studies of
COVID-19 inhibitors received from KSURF during Q2 2020. The Company
has also recently identified additional inhibitors using its
proprietary platform technology and anticipates the selection of
its lead preclinical molecule by year end.
About Science Translational
Medicine
Science Translational Medicine is a weekly
journal devoted to research and issues of strong interest to the
translational medicine community. Translational medicine topics
suitable for submission include any original research findings,
discussions or analyses that move the field closer to the goal of
improving human health, or the diagnosis and treatment of
disease.
Science Translational Medicine publishes
original, peer-reviewed, science-based research articles that
report successful advances toward the goal of improving patients'
lives. The editors and an international advisory group of
scientists and clinician-scientists as well as other experts
hold Science Translational Medicine articles to the same
high-quality standard that is the hallmark of the journal
Science.
About Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19)
COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called
SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are
common in people and many different species of animals, including
camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can
infect people and then spread between people. This occurred with
MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, and now with the virus that causes
COVID-19.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to
spread mainly from person to person, mainly through respiratory
droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These
droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby
or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when
people are in close contact with one another (within about 6
feet).
COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and
sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in many affected
geographic areas. Community spread means people have been infected
with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or
where they became infected.
Summary updates are available on CDC’s web page:
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
About Cocrystal Pharma,
Inc.
Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. is a clinical stage
biotechnology company discovering and developing novel antiviral
therapeutics that target the replication process of influenza
viruses, hepatitis C viruses, coronaviruses and noroviruses.
Cocrystal employs unique structure-based technologies and Nobel
Prize winning expertise to create first- and best-in-class
antiviral drugs. For further information about Cocrystal, please
visit www.cocrystalpharma.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, including statements related to expected
results of our collaboration with Merck, including the potential of
the Company’s platform to address the virus responsible for and
treat COVID-19, the Company’s continued development of its licensed
antiviral compounds ; and the anticipated timing of achieving the
value-driving milestones in our COVID-19 program, including the
selection of a preclinical lead molecule in Q4 2020. The words
"believe," "proceeds," "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, the risks arising from the impact of the COVID-19
pandemic on our Company, including (i) supply chain disruptions,
(ii) our continued ability to proceed with our programs, and (iii)
on the national and global economy, our reliance on certain third
parties, and competition from major pharmaceutical and
biotechnology companies which are advancing product candidates to
treat COVID-19 and related vaccines. 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,
2019. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only
as of the date on which it is made. Additional 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:JTC
Team, LLC(833) 475-8247COCP@jtcir.com
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