Aerpio Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:ARPO) has announced a new randomized, investigational trial for razuprotafib. In collaboration with the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium (MTEC), the company will be evaluating the drug candidate anticipated to be a prevention for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) in adult patients. This is one of the notable symptoms in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19.
This comes when so many companies have stepped out in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also happening as part of the Treatment Military Infectious Disease Research Program (MIDRP) by MTEC christened MTEC-20-09-COVID-19.
A Funding Of Up To $5.1 Million to Support the Clinical Trial
Razuprotafib is a first-in-class Tie2 activating compound. There is early anticipation that it will display an acceptable safety profile coupled with efficacy for ARDS treatment. Hence it could be a life-saving therapeutic for the devastating respiratory and vascular effects of COVID-19.
‘’…This therapeutic could result in fewer COVID-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation, earlier recovery with decreased time in the hospital and ICU, and an overall reduction in morbidity and mortality,” the Vice-Chair for Research in the Department of Emergency Medicine, Wesley H. Self emphasized.
The good news is that the Phase 2 clinical trial of razuprotafib is receiving financial support of up to $5.1 million from the MTEC. Aerpio will add another $2.8 million but “in kind”.
Aerpio Entertains and Invites Partnering, Which Will Mutually Benefit Both Parties
Apart from razuprotafib, Aerpio is also working on other drug candidates. One of them is ARP-1536, an adjunct to anti-VEGF therapy in patients with sight-threatening retinopathies such as diabetic macular edema (DME). The bispecific antibody, the company’s third asset, is designed to inhibit VEGF and activate Tie2 and is likely to be an enhanced treatment for DME.
Meanwhile, Aerpio is so big on partnerships and entertains local and international collaborations so long as they can benefit the two parties. Collaborations, partnerships, and acquisitions have become an everyday thing in the last couple of months since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. Companies have teamed up to hasten the development of vaccines that can treat or stop the coronavirus’s rapid spread.
