- Biotechnology company, Ceapro (CZO) has successfully achieved the first milestone in developing an inhalable COVID-19 therapeutic
- The milestone was optimising the size and structure of the best PGX-processed yeast beta glucans for modulating the immune system
- With the first milestone fully achieved, the project’s second milestone is also nearing completion
- The company hopes to begin planning and preparing a clinical trial protocol for the treatment in 2020’s fourth quarter
- Ceapro (CZO) is up 14.49 per cent and is currently trading at C$0.79 per share
Biotechnology company, Ceapro (CZO) has successfully achieved the first milestone in developing an inhalable COVID-19 therapeutic.
The project is entitled “PGX-processed yeast beta glucans as an inhalable immunomodulating therapeutic for COVID-19 patients”. It is currently under the leadership of two experts in medicine and chemical engineering from McMaster University.
The project’s first milestone was to optimise the size and structure of the best PGX-processed yeast beta glucans for modulating the immune system. The research team was able to consistently generate PGX-processed yeast beta glucan particles that are small enough for effective inhalation.
The project’s second milestone is to examine tolerability and safety of inhaled PGX-YBG in naïve animal models. With the first milestone fully achieved, the second milestone is also nearing completion.
If the particles pass the tolerability, safety, and therapeutic animal tests, the material could become an immune modulator and anti-fibrotic treatment option. This would be of particular benefit to the most severe COVID-19 patients, who suffer from lung-related issues.
The third and fourth goals of the project could be completed as early as mid-October. If the pre-clinical results are favourable, Ceapro could begin preparing and planning a Phase ½ clinical trial protocol during 2020’s fourth quarter.
McMaster University’s Dr Todd Hoare commented on the success of the project thus far.
“We are excited that we have been able to fabricate particles that have the targeted properties for inhalation, enabling the effective delivery of the particles to patients’ lungs, pending the safety and efficacy animal trials now underway.
“As this project continues, our confidence in the potential of Ceapro’s materials to treat late-stage COVID-19 patients and make a real-time impact on preserving lives during the pandemic continues to build,” he said.
Ceapro (CZO) is up 14.49 per cent and is trading at C$0.79 per share at 1:46pm EDT.