- Recce Pharmaceuticals (RCE) has received positive results from early studies of two compounds being tested against the SARS-CoV-2 virus
- The results showed both compounds were effective, by progressively reducing the viral load in samples at increasingly higher doses
- A parallel study also tested the toxicity of the two drugs in Vero cells and showed minimal cytotoxic effects, with more than 99 per cent of cells retaining their viability
- Plans are being made to test the compounds in an in-vivo COVID-19 infection study in ferrets, starting this month and finishing by the end of the year
- Recce Pharmaceuticals is up 11.53 per cent to $1.64
Recce Pharmaceuticals (RCE) has received positive results from early studies of two compounds being tested against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The in-vitro study used organoids made from human airway epithelial cells to test the two drugs — R327 and R529 — against the COVID-19 pathogen.
The results showed both compounds were effective in progressively reducing the viral load in samples at increasingly higher doses.
The study
The study was undertaken by Path BioAnalytics (PBA) and The University of Tennessee (UT) Health Science Centre.
Increasing doses of the two compounds were tested against the virus and compared to a control group.
Both compounds showed increasing efficacy as doses were increased.
Doses administered of R327 were significantly lower than those in pre-clinical data from an intravenous infusion program, so the new trial’s proof of efficacy against the virus seems even more promising.
A parallel study also tested the toxicity of the two drugs in Vero cells — a cell line derived from monkeys.
The compounds were tested at a range of concentrations across different time periods and compared to a control sample of healthy untreated cells.
At all time points and concentrations measured, both compounds showed minimal cytotoxic effects, with more than 99 per cent of cells retaining their viability.
Next phase
Based on the positive results from the two studies, the US researchers have recommended Recce should advance research of both R327 and R529.
Plans are being made to test the compounds in an in-vivo COVID-19 infection study in ferrets.
The animals will be dosed with the compounds nasally to target the infection in the lungs and airways.
Recce Non-Executive Chairman Dr John Prendergast says the signs for R327 and R529 are positive so far.
“We are very pleased with the anti-viral activity against SARS-CoV-2 demonstrated by our two compounds, RECCE 327 and RECCE 529 in vitro, and look forward to further success in the forthcoming ferret model studies,” John said.
“As COVID-19 infections and mortalities continue to rise, an effective treatment is critical,” he continued.
“Recce’s anti-infective technology is striving to address the global health problem of emerging viral pathogens.”
Recce Pharmaceuticals Non-Executive Chairman, Dr John Prendergast
The ferret study is expected to begin this month and be completed by the end of the year.
Recce Pharmaceuticals is up 11.53 per cent to $1.64 as at 2:59 pm AEST.