Antiviral Merimepodib to Be Investigated in Phase 2 Trial for COVID-19

Following clearance of an Investigational New Drug Application by the Food and Drug Administration, ViralClear announced that a phase 2 study evaluating merimepodib oral solution for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will be initiated. 

Merimepodib is a broad spectrum antiviral candidate that has been shown to have strong activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in preclinical studies. Findings from a study awaiting peer review showed that merimepodib, alone or in combination with remdesivir, was associated with a significant reduction in viral production in cell cultures. 

The randomized, double-blind phase 2 study will compare the efficacy and safety of merimepodib to placebo in hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 who are either on noninvasive ventilation/high flow oxygen devices or require supplemental oxygen. The study is expected to be conducted at multiple sites in the US, including 3 Mayo Clinic sites.

“I’m very pleased to be involved in this planned phase 2 study of merimepodib for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 disease,” said Andrew D. Badley, MD, Professor and Chair of Department of Molecular Medicine and the Enterprise Chair of COVID-19 Task Force. “We plan to begin enrollment of this trial as soon as practicable given the importance of finding solutions to this pandemic.”

For more information visit biosig.com.