Australia’s Noxopharm data shows potential to prevent COVID-19 progression

Pharma News: Interim data from Noxopharm’s COVID-19 treatment trial has indicated its Veyonda drug could prevent inflammation typically associated with the virus.

The clinical-stage drug development company said the data supported the international patent application lodged on March 30, 2021, adding that the provisional patent was now a potentially very valuable commercial asset.

The NOXCOVID-1 study aims to demonstrate Veyonda’s safety, as well as its efficacy, in stopping COVID-19 from worsening into cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and septic shock. 

Blood samples of the first 18 NOXCOVID trial patients have been analysed for a large suite of inflammatory biomarkers typically associated with this process.

According to Noxopharm, a key factor associated with the disease worsening is excessive production of inflammatory factors normally invoked to facilitate tissue repair and combat infection in a process known as the cytokine storm.

So far, the study has revealed none of the 18 patients receiving the Veyonda treatment showed any of these biomarkers linked to severe worsening of the virus.

While correlation of these responses to clinical data will need to be confirmed first, Noxopharm said the findings point to a protective effect of Veyonda against disease progression and the development of a cykotine storm.

“Treatments that stop patients progressing into needing high-level healthcare such as mechanical ventilation and occupying ICU beds is a major industry goal,” Noxopharm Chief Executive Officer Graham Kelly said.

“Our confidence is growing that Veyonda will form part of meeting that goal, and in so doing, potentially save many lives and deliver shareholders a potentially highly valuable and much sought after asset,” he added.

Veyonda is the first drug to reach the clinic that blocks the STING signalling pathway, marking the NOXCOVID trial as an important test of this theory. STING signalling is a signalling pathway thought to fuel toxic inflammation and tissue damage in patients with low oxygen level.

The biomarker data from the top Veyonda (1,800 mg) dose cohort is expected within the next few weeks. That will be followed by a review of the final clinical data on completion of treatment of the final patient.

After reviewing all data, the company will consult with its advisors along with government bodies including drug regulators.