Everest Medicines (HK: 1952) acquired global rights to several early stage protease inhibitor candidates for SAR-CoV-2 from Singapore's Experimental Drug Development Centre (EDDC). Everest will have exclusive rights to develop, sub-license and commercialize EDDC's series of viral 3C-like protease inhibitors as COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments. The candidates have shown potent in-vitro activity against SAR-CoV-2 and its variants, as well as other coronaviruses such as MERS. Clinical trials of the lead candidate are expected to begin later this year. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

EDDC is Singapore's national drug discovery platform, It is hosted by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research ("A*STAR").

The lead compound is EDDC-2214, a novel and potent SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease inhibitor. The main protease in SARS-CoV-2 is the 3CL protease. Compared to several other oral COVID-19 antivirals, EDDC-2214 exhibits better in-vitro potency and pre-clinical oral bioavailability, according to the agency.

"EDDC-2214 and future potential 3CL protease inhibitors are impactful new assets that complement our existing COVID-19 vaccine program," said Kerry Blanchard, MD, PhD, CEO of Everest Medicines. "We want to offer a package against COVID-19 that has both preventative vaccines and conveniently administered infection treatments. This is a prime example of the innovative risk-sharing relationship Everest is bringing about globally. We intend to bring the drug candidate quickly and efficiently through clinical trials, in order to deliver this novel oral antiviral treatment to patients during this time of limited therapeutic options."

"This agreement with Everest positions us to harness the full potential of EDDC-2214 with the potential to deliver it to patients globally," said Prof. Damian O'Connell, MD, PhD, CEO of EDDC. "Our team believes in the determination and ability of Everest to advance potentially best-in-class COVID-19 and pan-coronavirus therapeutics, and we are delighted to partner with Everest to make our joint vision a reality."

Everest said that any therapeutics developed for COVID-19 will be accessible and affordable globally. The company's mRNA Omicron-tailored COVID-17 vaccine will be tested as part of the WHO Solidarity Trial Vaccines clinical trial, in addition to the trials that Everest and its Canadian partner, Providence Therapeutics, will conduct.

Everest has developed a portfolio of over ten candidates with global first-in-class or best-in-class potential. The company was formed by CBC.

See our other articles on Everest.

Disclosure: none.