PharmAust (ASX:PAA) appoints Ergomed for COVID-19 clinical trials – The Market Herald

• PharmAust (PAA) appointed Ergomed Clinical Research to begin COVID-19 clinical trials
• Trials are testing the antiviral effects of monepantel (MPL) in people infected with COVID-19
• Ergomed has already found seven hospitals in five countries interested in testing the effects of MPL on patients with COVID-19
• The research provider will now finalize at least six hospitals in four countries
• PharmAust last traded at 10 cents per share

Biotechnology company PharmAust (PAA) has appointed British company Ergomed Clinical Research to begin clinical trials on COVID-19.

The trials are testing the antiviral effects of monepantel (MPL) in people infected with SARS-CoV2, the causative agent of COVID-19 disease.

MPL is a new, potent and safe inhibitor of the mTOR pathway – a pathway with key influences on cancer growth and neurodegenerative diseases.

Ergomed has already found seven hospitals in five countries interested in testing the effects of MPL on patients with COVID-19. The research provider will now finalize at least six hospitals in four countries.

The goals of the trial include finding the recommended dose for phase two trials and seeing if the drug improves symptoms of COVID-19 and time to symptom progression.

PharmAust Chief Scientific Officer Richard Mollard expects to complete manufacturing of MPL this week.

“Accelerated tablet stability data expected to be available in May 2022
monitoring the treatment of COVID-19 patients,” said Dr. Mollard.

“Furthermore, with greater certainty now about tablet stability, we can provide clinicians and ethics with more precise start dates and will be ready to finalize trial preparations once the exercise is completed. feasibility of Ergomed completed.”

Just before the market opened for the week, PharmAust was last trading at 10 cents per share.