AB Science announces dosing of first patient in Phase 2 trial of masitinib’s antiviral activity against the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus
30 November 2021 - 6:57AM
AB Science announces dosing of first patient in Phase 2 trial of
masitinib’s antiviral activity against the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
virus
PRESS RELEASE
AB SCIENCE ANNOUNCES
DOSING OF FIRST PATIENT IN PHASE 2 TRIAL OF MASITINIB’S ANTIVIRAL
ACTIVITY AGAINST THE SARS-CoV-2
(COVID-19)
VIRUS
Paris, 29 November, 2021, 8.45pm CET
AB Science SA (Euronext -
FR0010557264 - AB) today announced that the first patient has been
dosed in the phase 2 trial evaluating the antiviral activity of
masitinib in patients who have a confirmed diagnosis of
COVID-19.
The study plans to enroll 78 patients, either
non-hospitalized patients with mild disease or hospitalized
patients without requirement for non-invasive ventilation. The
primary efficacy objective will be to demonstrate that masitinib
can reduce the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for
COVID-19) faster than a placebo control group, which will receive
best supportive care. Study AB21002 has been authorized so far in
Russia and South Africa where COVID-19 is particularly active.
Alain Moussy, cofounder and CEO of AB Science
commented: “The new Omicron variant reminds us that the SARS-CoV-2
virus is rapidly evolving with the selection and accumulation of
mutations, mainly in the Spike protein, and that these mutations
may lead to increased transmissibility of the virus and potential
evasion of some vaccines. Evidently, there is a continued need for
effective antiviral treatments that are insensitive to these
variants.”
Professor Olivier Hermine, President of the
Scientific Committee of AB Science and member of the Académie des
Sciences in France said, “Masitinib has unique properties among
potential therapeutic options for patients with COVID-19. It has
antiviral activity against the original virus and also against the
alpha, beta and delta variants, as is to be expected with an
anti-protease drug. It is also expected to be active against the
Omicron variant because its activity is not dependent on the spike
protein. In addition, masitinib is an anti-inflammatory drug
through its capacity to block the immune response driven by
macrophages and mast cells. Antiviral treatments must be taken in
the first days of the infection to maximize their efficacy;
however, masitinib may be effective even if taken later because it
is not only an antiviral drug. This property might be of crucial
importance for patients with comorbidities. Also, long-term effects
of COVID-19 mimic mast cell activation syndrome, in particular
concerning neurological symptoms, and masitinib may also represent
an option for treating long-term effects of COVID-19 (long
COVID).”
Alain Moussy further indicated: “We are
committed to continue the clinical development of masitinib in
COVID-19 because this pandemic is clearly not over yet. Moreover,
masitinib appears to be a unique drug in the anti-COVID arsenal,
having potential therapeutic activity across all of its stages by
merit of its dual antiviral/anti-inflammatory mechanism of
action.”
About
masitinibMasitinib is an orally administered
tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets mast cells and macrophages,
important cells for immunity, through inhibiting a limited number
of kinases. Based on its unique mechanism of action, masitinib can
be developed in a large number of conditions in oncology, in
inflammatory diseases, and in certain diseases of the central
nervous system. In oncology due to its immunotherapy effect,
masitinib can have an effect on survival, alone or in combination
with chemotherapy. Through its activity on mast cells and microglia
and consequently the inhibition of the activation of the
inflammatory process, masitinib can have an effect on the symptoms
associated with some inflammatory and central nervous system
diseases and the degeneration of these diseases.
About AB ScienceFounded in
2001, AB Science is a pharmaceutical company specializing in the
research, development and commercialization of protein kinase
inhibitors (PKIs), a class of targeted proteins whose action are
key in signaling pathways within cells. Our programs target only
diseases with high unmet medical needs, often lethal with short
term survival or rare or refractory to previous line of treatment.
AB Science has developed a proprietary portfolio of molecules and
the Company’s lead compound, masitinib, has already been registered
for veterinary medicine and is developed in human medicine in
oncology, neurological diseases, inflammatory diseases and viral
diseases. The company is headquartered in Paris, France, and listed
on Euronext Paris (ticker: AB).
Further information is available on AB Science’s website:
www.ab-science.com.
Forward-looking Statements - AB
ScienceThis press release contains forward-looking
statements. These statements are not historical facts. These
statements include projections and estimates as well as the
assumptions on which they are based, statements based on projects,
objectives, intentions and expectations regarding financial
results, events, operations, future services, product development
and their potential or future performance.
These forward-looking statements can often be
identified by the words "expect", "anticipate", "believe",
"intend", "estimate" or "plan" as well as other similar terms.
While AB Science believes these forward-looking statements are
reasonable, investors are cautioned that these forward-looking
statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that are
difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of AB Science
and which may imply that results and actual events significantly
differ from those expressed, induced or anticipated in the
forward-looking information and statements. These risks and
uncertainties include the uncertainties related to product
development of the Company which may not be successful or to the
marketing authorizations granted by competent authorities or, more
generally, any factors that may affect marketing capacity of the
products developed by AB Science, as well as those developed or
identified in the public documents published by AB Science. AB
Science disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update the
forward-looking information and statements, subject to the
applicable regulations, in particular articles 223-1 et seq. of the
AMF General Regulations.
For additional information, please contact:
AB ScienceFinancial
Communication & Media Relations investors@ab-science.com
Media Relations – USA
RooneyPartnersKate
Barrettekbarrette@rooneypartners.com
+1 212 223 0561
Media Relations – France
NewCapArthur
Rouilléarouille@newcap.fr
+33 (0)1 44 71 00 15
- CP COVID AB21002 First Patient VENG VF
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