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
Reply Selected by Microsoft as Launch Partner for Agent 365, Supporting the Governance and Scaling of AI agents8.4.2026 11:17:00 EEST | Press release
Reply [EXM, STAR: REY] has been confirmed one of a small number of Launch Partners for Agent 365, supporting the general availability of Microsoft's new platform designed to provide enterprise-grade governance, observability and lifecycle management for AI agents. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260408212380/en/ Through this collaboration with Microsoft, Reply reinforces its commitment to enabling organisations to implement artificial intelligence responsibly and at scale, supporting long-term digital transformation objectives. Microsoft Agent 365 introduces a structured framework enabling organisations to deploy, monitor and manage AI agents consistently across business functions. As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in core operational processes, Agent 365 provides clarity, control and accountability, ensuring that AI-driven activities remain transparent, secure and aligned with organisational objecti
HPE Takes Licence to Patents Offered Through the Sisvel Wi-Fi Multimode Pool8.4.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has become the latest company to take a licence to the patents offered through the recently launched Sisvel Wi-Fi Multimode pool. It joins Sony Group Corporation, Huawei, Panasonic, Philips and ZTE as a licensee of the programme. The latter four are also licensors, along with KPN, Mitsubishi Electric, Orange, Aegis 11 SA (a Sisvel affiliate), SK Telecom and Wilus. HPE is a major presence in the global WLAN market and is a leading manufacturer of both consumer and enterprise routers. The deal with Sisvel was reached on an amicable basis. The Sisvel Wi-Fi Multimode pool is the successor programme to the Sisvel Wi-Fi 6 patent pool. Over a three-year period, this closed agreements with nearly 40 companies, including Acer, Netgear, Cisco and HP. Covering Wi-Fi 7 as well as 6, the Multimode programme offers an efficient way to access essential Wi-Fi rights for years to come. “We are delighted to welcome Hewlett Packard Enterprise as the latest licensee of the
Zyxel and Openreach Team Up to Reduce Plastic Waste in Full Fibre Installations8.4.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
A new partnership between Zyxel Communications and Openreach is helping to cut plastic and packaging waste from the UK’s Full Fibre rollout - by deploying re-cycled ‘modems’ to connect customers. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260408766604/en/ Openreach - GPON ONT Zyxel is deploying a range of new Optical Network Terminals (ONTs) - the wall-mounted box of electronics that converts optical signals into electrical ones used by household devices - with re-engineered casings made from 95 per cent recycled plastic.1 Openreach engineers have already installed half a million of Zyxel’s sustainable ONTs and the network provider expects to install even more this year as customers upgrade to Full Fibre - the UK’s most reliable broadband technology. The GPON2 devices use recycled plastic in their construction and arrive in zero‑plastic minimal packaging made from recycled materials. Openreach is working with Zyxel and o
Jeito Capital Hits Record $1.2 Billion (€1 Billion) 1 Close for Jeito II Fund to Drive Breakthrough Therapeutic Innovation for Patients8.4.2026 09:15:00 EEST | Press release
Jeito Capital (“Jeito”), a global independent private equity fund dedicated to Biopharma, today announces the final closing of its second fund Jeito II, exceeding its target at $1.2billion (above €1billion)1,2, and marking a new major milestone for European Biopharma investment. With this new fund, Jeito has now tripled its assets under management to €1.6 billion, following the closing in 2021 of fund Jeito I at $630 million (€534 million) and reinforces its position as a leading fully independent European Biopharma investor. Jeito II will continue the strategy established with Jeito I: selectively identifying and backing 15 to 20 of the most promising clinical stage Biopharma companies, primarily in Europe, developing breakthrough therapies for severe diseases with high unmet medical needs and accelerating the development path and future market access. This fundraising allows Jeito to increase the average size of future investments in portfolio companies up to €150 million, thus drivi
Croma-Pharma Acquires Synocrom™ and Returns to Orthopaedics8.4.2026 08:00:00 EEST | Press release
Croma-Pharma is returning to the orthopaedics market with the reacquisition of Synocrom™, a hyaluronic acid product for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. A strategic return built on proven heritage With the reacquisition of Synocrom™, Croma-Pharma is re-entering orthopaedics and further broadening its portfolio in a field with strong historical roots for the company. Until 2014, Croma was active in orthopaedics, with Synocrom™ serving as a key pillar of its offering. Synocrom™ is not a new name in the market. During the period in which Croma actively marketed the product, it became one of the leading hyaluronic acid brands in Europe and ranked among the top brands in its category. Its return therefore represents more than a portfolio expansion: it marks the continuation of a successful orthopaedic legacy and reconnects Croma with an important part of its history. The reintroduction of Synocrom™ also builds on Croma-Pharma’s long-standing expertise in the development and manufacturi
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