Rhizen Pharmaceuticals Announces US FDA Acceptance of its IND Application for RP7214 in SARS-CoV-2 Infection; Phase 1 Clinical Trial of RP7214 Set to Begin Early December 2020
1.12.2020 18:01:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
Rhizen Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage oncology-focussed biopharmaceutical company, today announced the approval of its Investigational New Drug (IND) application by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to study its oral DHODH inhibitor for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The company announced that initial study shall evaluate single ascending doses of RP7214 in healthy volunteers and that dosing is expected to commence in early December 2020. The company also announces positive feedback from the FDA during its pre-IND discussion on its plans to follow-up this study with a multiple-ascending dose study in Covid-19 patients.
Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHOHD) is a key enzyme involved in pyrimidine biosynthesis in the cell. RP7214 is potentially a best-in-class selective DHODH inhibitor that has shown potent inhibition of Covid-19 viral replication. RP7214 has also been studied extensively across multiple inflammation models where it has demonstrated excellent anti-inflammatory activity. Further, the IND-enabling preclinical studies have shown RP7214 to be orally available, safe and tolerable with predictable dose-linear pharmacokinetics. The host-based mechanism of RP7214 could allow complementary combinations with direct acting anti-viral drugs, while the broad anti-inflammatory action could potentially mitigate the cytokine mediated inflammatory symptoms typically seen in SARS-CoV-2 & other viral infections.
Swaroop Vakkalanka, President & CEO of Rhizen Pharmaceuticals said “There is an exceptional need for oral antiviral drugs that are suitable for Covid-19 treatment across all hospital and out-patient settings. We are pleased to advance RP7214 into a Phase 1 clinical trial for the treatment of Covid-19 under a US FDA IND. RP7214 has a unique preclinical profile, high oral bioavailability, robust anti-viral potency and broad anti-inflammatory role, that we expect will translate in the clinic and support its eventual development as a potential treatment for Covid-19”.
About Rhizen Pharmaceuticals S.A.:
Rhizen Pharmaceuticals is an innovative, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel onco-therapeutics. Since its establishment in 2008, Rhizen has created a diverse pipeline of proprietary drug candidates targeting several cancers and immune associated cellular pathways. Rhizen is headquartered in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. For additional information, please visit www.rhizen.com
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201201005815/en/
Contact information
Samyukta Bhagwati
Manager, Corporate Affairs & Communications
Rhizen Pharmaceuticals S.A.
Telephone: +41 32 580 0113
Email: corpcomm@rhizen.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Chiesi Appoints David Khougazian as Group Chief Executive Officer to Lead the Next Phase of Innovation-Driven Growth15.9.2026 12:00:00 EEST | Press release
Chiesi Group (Chiesi) today announced the appointment of David Khougazian as Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 15 October 2026. David joins Chiesi following a distinguished international career spanning more than 25 years across the global healthcare and life sciences sectors. Most recently, he served as Executive Partner, Growth, and Head of Global Engagement at Flagship Pioneering, where he supported the growth and development of science-driven healthcare companies and worked closely with leadership teams on long-term value creation, partnerships, financing and organizational development. Following a thorough selection process led by the Board of Directors, David will succeed Interim Group CEO Jean-Marc Bellemin, who has successfully led the Group since 15 May 2026, while also continuing in his permanent role as Group CFO. Maria Paola Chiesi, Chiesi Group Chair, commented: “We are delighted to welcome David to Chiesi at a time of strong momentum for the company. Innovati
TOYO Corporation Opens Its Quantum Computers to Japan's Ecosystem15.9.2026 11:32:00 EEST | Press release
IQM Quantum Computers, a global leader in superconducting quantum computers, today announced that TOYO Corporation has purchased a second full-stack quantum computer, IQM Spark. This expands TOYO's quantum footprint and reinforces IQM's commitment to driving quantum acceleration in Japan. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260915747723/en/ TOYO Corporation opens its quantum computers to Japan's ecosystem The Spark system will be installed at TOYO's R&D center in Kiba, Tokyo, and will be operational in early 2027, enabling hands-on learning from fundamental quantum computing education to algorithm validation and verification. This announcement follows TOYO's earlier acquisition of an IQM Radiance 20-qubit quantum computer, planned for installation at the end of 2026 at the Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI technology (G-QuAT), a research facility operated by the National Institute o
Smartstream Further Enables Collateral Teams with Instant Answers and Controlled Automation through New MCP Servers15.9.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
Smartstream, the trusted data solutions provider for leading global financial institutions and enterprises, today announces two new Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers for Smart Collateral, enabling dynamic, agentic collateral operations. Firms can connect an MCP-compatible AI assistant directly to their collateral management platform and interact with it conversationally, giving teams instant answers and controlled workflow automation while retaining full governance and oversight. Collateral operations have grown steadily more complex. As margin requirements rise and regulatory expectations continue to evolve, financial institutions are under pressure to lower operational risk and raise efficiency across the collateral lifecycle. Yet when markets move quickly, teams must still assemble a picture from several systems before they can act on it, while manual steps that would benefit from automation wait on scarce development resource. AI adoption is expanding across these organisations,
More Than Half of Global Businesses Want Greater Control Over Their Data in Latest Digital Sovereignty Push, According to Expereo15.9.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
Businesses around the world are seeking greater control over their data as growing concerns around AI, security and compliance push digital sovereignty higher up the boardroom agenda, according to the latest IDC InfoBrief commissioned by Expereo*. More than half (53%) of enterprises say they want greater control over sensitive and strategic data, while 33% of global organizations now view digital sovereignty as a top or high priority. The research also found that 30% rank it among the leading drivers of technology investment, highlighting how governance, risk and compliance considerations are becoming increasingly important as organisations scale AI and cloud initiatives. The findings suggest organizations are looking beyond traditional approaches to data governance as they seek to better manage risk, regulatory obligations and operational resilience. Security and privacy concerns remain a significant barrier to AI adoption, cited by 58% of enterprises, while 54% of technology leaders
SES and Elveo Mobile Deepen Collaboration to Advance Direct-to-Device Services in Europe15.9.2026 10:30:00 EEST | Press release
SES, a global leader in space solutions, and Elveo Mobile, the company that delivers mobile connectivity and elevated intelligence for a planet on the move, today announced the expansion of their collaboration to accelerate delivery of direct-to-device (D2D) services in Europe. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260915183604/en/ SES and Elveo Mobile Deepen Collaboration to Advance Direct-to-Device Services in Europe SES will leverage Elveo’s patented, proven and cost-effective D2D technology to enable seamless mobile roaming capabilities for European consumers, businesses, governments, institutional, and defense users. To further this vision, SES and Elveo Mobile will collaborate to establish manufacturing capabilities and a robust supply chain in Europe for the productions of the Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) D2D satellites, using Elveo’s patented D2D satellite bus, payload and software technology stack. These LEO D2D s
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom