Engchem Life Sciences Applies to U.S. Department of Health for 'COVID-19 Treatment Development Project'

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] New drug developer Enzychem Lifesciences announced on the 22nd that it applied on the 15th (local time) to a project supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the development of treatments for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Enzychem Lifesciences submitted a research plan for 'EC-18 to prevent the progression of COVID-19 infection to severe pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)'.

The 'BARDA BAA' project, promoted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), is a Medical Countermeasure (MCM) system for emergency pharmaceutical medical response to situations such as COVID-19. It is a U.S. government program supporting the development of emergency medical new drugs. If selected for the program, companies can receive financial support from BARDA for development costs.

Enzychem Lifesciences expects that the new drug substance 'EC-18' will enable immune cells to rapidly engulf viruses and bacteria and eliminate them in a short time. They introduced it as a platform technology that removes pathogens that have penetrated cells by releasing reactive oxygen species and suppresses the cytokine storm, one of the causes of death from COVID-19.

Son Ki-young, CEO of Enzychem Lifesciences, said, "Currently, BARDA is focusing support on COVID-19 related projects," adding, "Selected new drugs can participate in various U.S. government support programs, providing an opportunity to leap forward as a global pharmaceutical company."

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