Enzychem Lifesciences files provisional patent for COVID-19 treatment

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Englewood-based Enzychem Lifesciences announced Friday it filed a provisional patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office covering treating COVID-19 infections and symptoms using EC-18, the company’s lead compound.

“We are excited to advance EC-18 as a potent drug candidate against COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus, to improve patient health,” said Ki Young Sohn, chairman and chief executive officer. “We believe EC-18 can resolve inflammation by allowing complete viral clearance while minimizing tissue damage. EC-18 may quickly neutralize SARS-CoV-2, by preventing cytokine storm or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), based on its mechanism of action,” Sohn said.

According to Enzychem, EC-18 can significantly reduce the development of cytokine storm and prevents the progression of ARDS.

Enzychem’s lead investigational candidate EC-18, is in development for a variety of indications including Chemoradiation Induced Oral Mucositis (CRIOM), Chemotherapy Induced Neutropenia (CIN) and Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS).

Consistent with its current new drug development pipeline, Enzychem said it  is currently seeking appropriate partners to develop and commercialize EC-18 worldwide as a potential treatment for COVID-19.

Enzychem Lifesciences was awarded U.S. FDA Fast Track Designation for EC-18 in CRIOM and FDA Orphan Drug Designation in ARS. CRIOM and CIN are in Phase II clinical trials and a pivotal study evaluating EC-18 in ARS is expected to begin under FDA’s animal rule guidance.