Coronaviruses Including COVID-19 and Variants

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a family of viruses that historically have been associated with a wide range of responses, from no symptoms to more severe disease that includes pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), kidney failure and death. By targeting the viral replication enzymes and protease, we believe it is possible to develop an effective treatment for all coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, ARDS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). 

The ability of someone with no symptoms to transmit infection to another person heightened the public health challenge of COVID-19. We are developing highly potent and safe antiviral therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants for hospitalized patients, as well as for those not requiring hospitalization, including for prophylactic use to provide protection to uninfected individuals who may become exposed. 

To learn more about coronavirus, please visit the information page at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

CDI-988 – Coronavirus Protease Inhibitor

We are clinically evaluating the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of our novel oral antiviral CDI-988 in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1 study being conducted in Australia. We have selected CDI-988 as our lead candidate for the treatment of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as for noroviruses. CDI-988 was specifically designed and developed as a broad-spectrum antiviral inhibitor using our proprietary structure-based drug discovery platform technology to a highly conserved region in the active site of coronaviruses, noroviruses and other 3CL viral proteases.  

CDI-988 exhibited superior in vitro potency against SARS-CoV-2 with activity maintained against variants of concern. In preclinical studies, CDI-988 demonstrated a favorable safety profile and pharmacokinetic properties supportive of daily oral dosing. This investigational candidate was specifically designed and developed using our unique structure-based drug discovery technology platform. 

Novel replication inhibitors

We are pursuing a coronavirus program using our unique structure-based drug discovery technology to design novel, broad-spectrum replication inhibitors.