- Algernon Pharmaceuticals (AGN) has highlighted an independent research review identifying a potential COVID-19 treatment
- The review published in the European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience found that Ifenprodil could be a possible re-purposed drug candidate
- Algernon Pharmaceuticals is currently researching if Ifenprodil is able to reduce the infiltration of neutrophils and T-cells into the lungs where they can release glutamate and cytokines respectively
- The latter can result in the highly problematic cytokine storm that contributes to the loss of lung function and ultimately death, as has been reported in COVID-19 infected patients
- Algernon Pharmaceuticals is down 2.98 per cent to C$0.19 per share
Algernon Pharmaceuticals (AGN) has highlighted an independent research review identifying a potential COVID-19 treatment.
The review published in the January 5 edition of the European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience found that Ifenprodil could be a possible re-purposed drug candidate for the treatment of COVID-19.
In the review, it proposed the repurposing of traditional central nervous system drugs that have a high affinity at the sigma-1 receptor, naming Ifenprodil as a potential treatment of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients.
Algernon Pharmaceuticals believes Ifenprodil may be able to reduce the infiltration of neutrophils and T-cells into the lungs where they can release glutamate and cytokines respectively.
The latter can result in the highly problematic cytokine storm that contributes to the loss of lung function and ultimately death, as has been reported in COVID-19 infected patients.
Algernon Pharmaceuticals recently announced that the last patient from the Phase 2b part of its multinational Phase 2b/3 human study of NP-120 (Ifenprodil) for the treatment of COVID-19, completed treatment as well as the required two-week follow up.
The company is projecting the final data set will be available before the end of February 2021.
Algernon Pharmaceuticals CEO Dr. Mark Williams said the company has mostly focused on Ifenprodil’s role as an NMDA receptor antagonist when exploring its potential as a COVID-19 therapeutic.
“However, its role as a sigma-1 receptor agonist is also well established and the connection with this receptor being a key therapeutic target involving SARS-CoV-2 replication is a very promising discovery, and adds to our confidence as we wait for the final results from our COVID-19 Ifenprodil study,” he added.
Algernon Pharmaceuticals also advised that it is not making any express or implied claims that Ifenprodil has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain COVID-19 (or the SARS-2 Coronavirus) at this time.
Algernon Pharmaceuticals is down 2.98 per cent to C$0.19 per share at 1:24pm EST.