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
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
Mori Memorial Foundation’s Global Power City Index 2025 Sees City Rankings Shift Due to Tourism Gains in East Asia and Inflationary Pressures in the West17.12.2025 05:00:00 EET | Press release
The Mori Memorial Foundation’s Institute for Urban Strategies, a research body established by Mori Building, Tokyo’s leading urban landscape developer, today published its annual Global Power City Index (GPCI) 2025, a report evaluating the urban competitiveness of 48 major cities worldwide. The report also includes the GPCI–Financial Centers index, an assessment of cities as international financial centers, and the new GPCI–Startup Ecosystems index, which assesses the competitiveness of startup environments. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251216187692/en/ 48 Major Cities Evaluated in Mori Memorial Foundation’s GPCI-2025 Report This year’s report highlights the remarkable rise of East Asian cities and the stagnation of several Western cities, showing how global challenges, such as geopolitical tensions and regional disparities in inflation, are greatly impacting the performance of major cities worldwide. The r
GE HealthCare and Indonesia’s Ministry of Health to expand access to quality care through the provision of 300+ advanced CT scanners17.12.2025 04:00:00 EET | Press release
GE HealthCare (Nasdaq: GEHC) today announced it will supply more than 300 CT (computed tomography) scanners under Indonesia’s Strengthening Indonesia’s Health Referral Network (SIHREN) program to deliver equitable, high-quality care to more than 280 million Indonesians. As part of a competitively awarded, multi-year contract, GE HealthCare will supply the advanced CT scanners to public hospitals across all 38 provinces, including urban and remote areas. The CT scanner procurement under SIHREN was conducted through a fully competitive international tender process governed by the World Bank’s procurement regulations. SIHREN is the largest healthcare infrastructure investment in Indonesia’s history and among the largest multilateral health projects globally. SIHREN aims to modernize the national referral system and expand access to diagnostics and treatment across the archipelago, with a focus on non-communicable diseases (NCD) management, maternal health, and pandemic resilience. By mode
IDWS 2025 Concludes with Focus on Global Knowledge Exchange, Financial Opportunities, and Scalable Water Solutions16.12.2025 21:03:00 EET | Press release
The 4th Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS) 2025 concluded on Wednesday in Jeddah, confirming its status as one of the world’s most influential platforms for shaping the future of water innovation, sustainability, and security. Gathering senior global policymakers and international industry leaders, this year’s edition has advanced critical dialogue on safeguarding the planet’s most vital resource, with Saudi Arabia at the forefront. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251216483490/en/ Investors, innovators, and global institutions gather in Saudi to outline how capital, collaboration, and governance can accelerate long term water sustainability (Photo: AETOSWire) Among the most consequential engagements were a series of meetings that brought together discussions powered by SWA, centred on shared challenges, knowledge exchange, and exploring opportunities within the global water ecosystem. Att
OAG Appoints ex-Skyscanner Executive Filip Filipov as New Chief Executive Officer16.12.2025 18:00:00 EET | Press release
OAG announces today the appointment of Filip Filipov, ex-Skyscanner executive, as new Chief Executive Officer. Filip Filipov currently serves as the company’s Chief Operating Officer and takes over from Phil Callow who has chosen to step down having completed thirteen transformational years at the helm of OAG to pursue his many other interests. Since joining in 2024, Filipovhas played a leading role in the company’s ambitious next phase of growth and ongoing acceleration. He will now lead OAG into a new era defined by advanced data products and AI-driven intelligence. Before joining OAG, Filipov held senior roles in travel technology and big-data consulting, including on Skyscanner’s executive team. Filip Filipov said: “It’s a privilege to step into this role and lead a company with such a strong heritage and reputation. I’m excited for what’s ahead and committed to serving our customers with the reliability, service, and innovation they depend on.” Chairman of OAG, Gehan Talwatte, com
Xsolla Integrates SPENN in Rwanda and Zambia Giving Developers Access to a Strong Consumer-Merchant Ecosystem16.12.2025 17:49:00 EET | Press release
Xsolla, a global video game commerce company that helps developers launch, grow, and monetize their games, today announced that it has added SPENN to its payments solution portfolio in Rwanda and Zambia. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251216303338/en/ Xsolla Integrates SPENN In Rwanda And Zambia Giving Developers Access To A Strong Consumer-Merchant Ecosystem Both Rwanda and Zambia are mobile-first, wallet-led economies where mobile money drives financial inclusion and rapid growth in digital transactions. Reports found that approximately 86% of Rwandan adults own or have used mobile money. As of mid-2024, mobile money transaction volumes in Zambia increased by 44% to 1.4 billion transactions from mid-2023. By adding SPENN as a payment method to its portfolio, Xsolla enables players to continue paying seamlessly in a way they are already familiar with. Key benefits of the SPENN integration include: Streamline
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