Advancing the first potent, orally available, anti-BK virus drug

We are developing a new generation of antiviral and anti-infective medicines.

Our antiviral and anti-infective programs reside under:

Pipeline

An innovative, first-in-class, anti-Polyomavirus drug for use as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic.

A novel, broad-spectrum coronavirus treatment to prevent COVID-19 variants and future coronavirus threats.

A first-in-class gram-ve antibacterial treatment. Undisclosed target.

Lack of polyomavirus targeting drugs

We are treating the devastating complications of BK virus infections

BK virus is one of the two most common viral infections that affect transplant patients. Nearly all kidney and most solid organ and bone marrow transplant recipients are at risk of BKV reactivation.

BK reactivation in patients begin with shedding virus in the urine (viruria) before leading to active infection in the blood (viremia) which ultimately results in BK virus associated nephropathy (BKVAN) and nephritis leading to graft failure.

The current standard of care is limited to reduction of immunosuppression in the transplant patient which predisposes the patient to graft rejection and life-threatening disease.

0
Kidney transplants worldwide (2019) (1)
Over 0 %
Develop active replication (viremia) (2)
0 %+
Of kidney transplants develop BKVAN
# 0
Most common (latent) viral infection in adults

(1) Kidney transplants worldwide by region 2019 | Statista (2) J Bras Nefrol. Jan-Mar 2018;40(1):59-65. doi: 10.1590/1678-4685-JBN-3776. Epub 2018 Apr 19

(2) J Bras Nefrol. Jan-Mar 2018;40(1):59-65. doi: 10.1590/1678-4685-JBN-3776. Epub 2018 Apr 19

Our mission is to address the lack of safe and effective antiviral drugs to treat Polyomavirus reactivation

  • 70-90% of adult population is latently infected with polyomaviruses
  • Polyomavirus reactivation occurs in immune-compromised patients leading to devastating complications and poor prognosis
  • Among the human polyomaviruses, BK and JC viruses are the most common leading to significant morbidity and mortality
  • BK virus reactivation leads to nephropathy and kidney complications (kidney failure/rejection)
  • JC virus is a CNS tropic virus that rapidly leads to Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) and mortality
  • due to the high sequence similarity between these two viruses, it is possible to develop a single drug that is effective against both. Opportunity to combine the market

Our preclinical drug candidate

has the potential to suppress BK reactivation and
replication thereby promoting graft survival.

Structure-based drug design and exciting mechanism of action.

Highly potent (low nanomolar activity) in suppressing BK virus replication.

Attractive pharmacokinetic profile, twice daily oral dosing.

Our lead molecule is in progression to IND-enabling studies and clinical proof of concept:
We are developing a therapeutic that can offer both prophylactic and therapeutic options.