Cocrystal Pharma Inc.’s Structure-Based Technology has Demonstrated Broad Utility in Development of Antivirals
February 13 2020 - 8:30AM
COCRYSTAL PHARMA, INC. (NASDAQ: COCP) (“Cocrystal” or the
“Company”), is a clinical stage biotechnology company discovering
and developing novel antiviral therapeutics using its proprietary
structure-based drug discovery platform technology to create
first-and best-in-class antiviral drugs for a wide variety of
serious and/or chronic viral diseases.
Cocrystal’s proprietary structure-based drug
discovery platform:
- Provides direct visualization of how essential viral enzymes
work;
- Identifies attractive drug binding pockets on these
enzymes;
- Enables the design of compounds to block the function of these
enzymes, thereby preventing viral production; and
- Discovers novel broad spectrum antivirals with high barriers to
drug resistance.
“Our proprietary drug discovery platform
technology has enabled us to develop antiviral treatments that have
generated positive data to date across our current pipeline of
preclinical and clinical programs,” commented Dr. Gary Wilcox,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cocrystal. “Based on the
data we have generated and the demonstrated potential of our
technology, we believe we have the capabilities to address
shortcomings in the treatment of viruses with significant unmet
needs, as well as develop safe and effective antiviral therapies
for new viruses as they arise, such as the COVID-19 coronavirus.
This is an opportunity to use our proprietary drug discovery
platform and antiviral experience to participate in this worldwide
health crisis and we have begun planning our coronavirus
program.”
Antiviral Drug Discovery Platform
Cocrystal’s technology generates a 3-D structure
of inhibitor complexes at near-atomic resolution providing the
Company with the ability to identify novel binding sites and allow
for a rapid turnaround of structural information through highly
automated X-ray data processing and refinement. By utilizing this
technology, Cocrystal is able to develop treatments that
specifically target essential viral enzymes. The Company is
currently leveraging its unique structure-based technologies to
develop antiviral drugs for hepatitis C, influenza and
norovirus.Influenza Program To date, Cocrystal’s
lead influenza molecule in development, CC-42344, has shown
excellent antiviral activity against influenza A strains, including
avian pandemic strains and Tamiflu® resistant strains, and a
favorable pharmacokinetic and safety profile.
In addition, the Company has an ongoing
partnership with Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (“Merck”) to
discover and develop a novel influenza drug for influenza A and B
infections. The Company expects the lead molecule will be selected
for its influenza A/B program in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Hepatitis C Program
The Company announced positive safety and
preliminary efficacy data from its triple regimen, U.S. Phase 2a
study evaluating CC-31244 and Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) for
the ultra-short treatment of HCV infected individuals. Planning is
underway to initiate a Phase 2b study.
Norovirus Program
The Company is working on a potential
first-in-class non-nucleoside inhibitor (NNI) that will have both
potent and broad-spectrum Noro polymerase inhibition. Work has also
begun on a protease inhibitor. The technology platform has been
completed and the structure-based lead discovery is ongoing in both
programs.
For more information about the Cocrystal’s
technology, please visit the Company’s website at
www.cocrystalpharma.com. 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.
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 our ability to
address shortcomings in the treatment of viruses with significant
unmet needs, the results of our research and discussions concerning
the coronavirus, the expected progress of our influenza A/B
program, and other statements that are not historical fact. 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 entered
into in January 2019, uncertainties concerning the results of our
coronavirus research and discussions, 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, political
instability or viral outbreaks 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 our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended
June 30, 2019, and September 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:JTC
Team, LLC(833) 475-8247COCP@jtcir.com
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