AptaBio "‘APX-115’ Proven Effective in Treating COVID-19"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Aptabio, a developer of anticancer and diabetic complication treatments, announced on the 16th that it has proven the efficacy of its COVID-19 treatment candidate substance and is accelerating further research.

Through cell experiments, Aptabio reported that its NOX inhibitor therapeutic agent ‘APX-115’ has been confirmed to be effective in treating COVID-19. ‘APX-115’ fundamentally blocks infection by inhibiting the intracellular penetration of the COVID-19 virus, while simultaneously showing therapeutic effects on already infected cells and demonstrating treatment functions for pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis, making it a therapeutic agent with three mechanisms acting simultaneously.

The virus penetrates cells via the human receptor protein ACE2. In particular, COVID-19 has protein spikes that strongly bind to the ACE2 receptor, resulting in higher infectivity than other viruses. The virus moves within cells through endosomes, which facilitate material transport, and replicates RNA via the nucleus to spread the virus throughout the body.

During this viral penetration process, Aptabio’s ‘APX-115’ inhibits the endosomal enzyme 'NOX2' and suppresses reactive oxygen species (ROS), fundamentally blocking viral movement through endosomes and preventing cell infection.

Additionally, ‘APX-115’ has been confirmed to have an infected cell apoptosis effect. This function is similar to that of the current COVID-19 treatment candidate ‘Remdesivir’.

The NOX inhibitor ‘APX-115’ also showed efficacy against acute pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis, major symptoms of COVID-19. The therapeutic agent inhibits the body enzyme ‘NOX4’, which causes pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis, enabling treatment of these conditions. An Aptabio official explained, “Currently, the virus-killing effect of our ‘APX-115’ is known to be one-third that of Remdesivir, but this therapeutic agent has two additional mechanisms beyond direct RNA treatment action,” adding, “The combined effects of fundamentally blocking viral penetration into cells and treating pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis result in three mechanisms acting simultaneously, showing excellent efficacy in treating COVID-19 infection.”

The official continued, “‘APX-115’ has already completed Phase 1 clinical trials in Europe, confirming safety and absence of side effects. Since this therapeutic agent fundamentally blocks viral intracellular penetration, it is expected to be applicable to patients unresponsive to existing treatments such as Remdesivir due to variant viruses.”

Aptabio plans to conduct Phase 2 clinical trials on COVID-19 patients soon. The trials aim to confirm the efficacy and appropriate dosage of ‘APX-115’.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.