Coronaviruses lack effective treatments or vaccine. Credit: Steve Buissinne from Pixabay.

Visit our Covid-19 microsite for the latest coronavirus news, analysis and updates

Follow the latest updates of the outbreak on our timeline.

Innovation Pharmaceuticals has announced the consideration of its defensin mimetic drug candidate Brilacidin for the potential treatment of Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

The company is in discussions with organisations and researchers to explore the use of Brilacidin as an antiviral treatment against coronaviruses, including Covid-19, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV.

These coronaviruses lack effective treatments or vaccine as the outbreaks commonly abate before a candidate’s safety and efficacy could be adequately analysed.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

With the latest coronavirus epidemic, companies and research teams are in a race to create vaccines and treatments. Many are focused on existing drugs as they have established pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data, cutting down development timeframe.

Brilacidin is a small molecule in late-phase development. The drug is said to have shown antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity in different clinical studies.

In preclinical studies, the drug also demonstrated antiviral properties, added the company. Further optimisation, formulation and delivery analysis may be required to make the drug trigger a response against the coronavirus.

In a statement, Innovation Pharmaceuticals said: “The company remains committed to its prioritization of ongoing clinical development of Brilacidin for inflammatory bowel disease and oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients.

“As to Brilacidin’s antiviral properties, the strategy is to explore research collaborations and federal grant opportunities to further evaluate the drug’s potential to treat coronaviruses without tapping into resources dedicated for clinical research in Brilacidin’s primary indications.”

China’s National Medical Products Administration approved anti-viral drug Favilavir to treat coronavirus Covid-19, reported China Daily.