SOM Biotech announces in vitro confirmation of three drug candidates for COVID-19

On Apr 21, 2020

SOM Biotech announces the in vitro validation of three drug candidates as new therapies for the treatment of COVID-19. The three candidates inhibit the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 and therefore the replication of the virus. Clinical studies with the three candidates can be initiated immediately.

SOM Biotech has applied its artificial intelligence-based screening technology (SOMAIPRO) to identify inhibitors of the 3CL proteases of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV viruses as potential candidates to treat COVID-19. The discoveries came as a result of the research conducted jointly by SOM Biotech and the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences led by Professor Dong-Hae Shin from Ewha Womans University in South Korea.

Validated drug candidates

Within the three identified and validated drug candidates, one – Eravacycline – is an already approved drug. The second compound – Prexasertib – is in clinical development and the third one – Cynarine – is a natural compound used as a dietary supplement. Therefore, all three drugs can be repurposed to treat COVID-19 and the company is working on the fastest way to prove them in patients. A patent application has been filed to provide a method of use protection for the three compounds worldwide.

Combining scientific and medical expertise to find new therapies for COVID-19
Raul Insa, CEO, and Founder of SOM Biotech: “We have joined forces with Professor Dong-Hae Shin from Ewha Womans University to combine our scientific and medical expertise to find new therapies for the treatment of COVID-19. Thanks to our capabilities in screening molecules with our AI-based technology, we have validated active anti-coronavirus compounds. Thus, we look forward to the rapid development of these drugs to be able to provide patients with an effective and safe treatment against the COVID-19 as soon as possible”.

Professor Dong-Hae Shin from Ewha Womans University: “We are very proud about working on promising COVID-19 treatments and contributing to finding effective, safe and fast solutions due to the importance of the current pandemic situation. We decided to start working with SOM Biotech as we are committed to tackling this COVID-19 pandemic leveraging on partners with innovative technologies and excellent know-how.”