JW Jungwooi Pharmaceutical Develops COVID-19 Antiviral Treatment
4 Times Greater Antiviral Effect Compared to Remdesivir
[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] JW Pharmaceutical announced on the 17th that it will develop a treatment for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) using a drug repositioning strategy.
JW Pharmaceutical has filed a patent for the Wnt-targeting anticancer agent 'CWP291' as a 'composition for treating coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19)'. CWP291 is an innovative new drug candidate being developed for various cancer types including acute myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma, and gastric cancer.
JW Pharmaceutical reviewed the clinical potential of CWP291 as a COVID-19 treatment based on the tumor inhibitory effect of 'GRP78' identified in previous clinical studies of the targeted anticancer drug. According to a paper published in the international journal Infection in March, GRP78 was predicted as a potential spike binding site for COVID-19. It is explained that inhibiting the interaction between the COVID-19 spike protein and GRP78 could suppress viral entry and replication.
In recent cell experiments, CWP291 showed equal or greater antiviral effects against COVID-19 compared to control drugs. It demonstrated approximately four times higher antiviral activity than recently approved COVID-19 treatments such as Remdesivir (an Ebola treatment), malaria treatment Hydroxychloroquine, and AIDS treatment Lopinavir.
JW Pharmaceutical decided on this development by comprehensively considering not only the antiviral effect of CWP291 against COVID-19 but also its pharmacokinetics (changes in drug concentration in the body) and safety margin. The company plans to proceed with additional animal model tests and negotiate with domestic and international clinical institutions to initiate clinical trials.
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A JW Pharmaceutical official stated, “Although drug repositioning of many anticancer drugs has not been realized due to toxicity issues, CWP291 has shown potential as a COVID-19 antiviral treatment at concentrations lower than the drug dose verified for safety in phase 1 clinical trials in Korea and the United States,” adding, “We will focus our capabilities to ensure the success of clinical trials for drug repositioning of CWP291.”
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