JNC Science and Crystal Genomics Show Positive PK Results for Oral COVID-19 Treatment

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] CrystalGenomics and JNC Science announced on the 12th that they have obtained positive results in pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in non-rodents (rats) for an oral COVID-19 treatment through joint research and development, indicating the possibility of once or twice daily dosing.

They are developing a treatment targeting the 3CL protease, the same mechanism as Pfizer's COVID-19 treatment 'Paxlovid.' In bioavailability studies, doses of 5mg/kg and 20mg/kg showed 53.7% and 69% respectively, confirming results at the same or higher level than Pfizer's Paxlovid.

Previously, through joint research combining CrystalGenomics' three-dimensional structural analysis technology of disease target proteins and JNC Science's medicinal chemistry technology, they discovered a new drug candidate that inhibits the essential viral replication protein ‘3CL protease,’ the same target as Pfizer's COVID-19 treatment 'Paxlovid,' marking the first such discovery in Korea.

On the 5th (local time), Pfizer announced clinical results showing that the oral COVID-19 treatment 'Paxlovid' reduces the probability of hospitalization and death by up to 89%. Paxlovid requires taking three pills twice a day, morning and evening, for five days, totaling 30 pills.

The candidate substance discovered through the joint research of CrystalGenomics and JNC Science is a novel compound with chemical structural uniqueness that can be patented internationally, and if successfully developed, it can be independently marketed globally.

With positive results from pharmacokinetic analysis making the COVID-19 treatment candidate more visible, animal efficacy experiments and toxicity tests are currently underway.

JNC Science CEO Cho Yong-ryu said, "We obtained good results in the experimental PK study in non-rodents (rats), showing the possibility of once or twice daily dosing," adding, "We plan to proceed to obtain IND (clinical phase 1 approval) in the first half of next year."

Based on pharmacokinetic analysis tracking how the COVID-19 treatment is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated, it is necessary to understand the changing drug status in the human body and the corresponding efficacy and toxicity to establish clinical trial plans regarding the dose, frequency, and route of administration for patients.

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