Oncology Venture has announced that its PARP inhibitor Stenoparib (formerly known as 2X-121) has shown in vitro anti-viral activity against Coronavirus in pre-clinical studies.

The studies were conducted at the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute at Northern Arizona University (NAU), a U.S. infectious disease test center.

Based on these findings, Oncology Venture plans to advance the compound into human clinical trials as a potential therapy for COVID-19. Stenoparib (2X-121) is a novel small molecule (oral), targeted inhibitor of Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase (PARP), a key DNA damage repair enzyme active in cancer cells, currently being evaluated for cancer.

Anti-viral activity against SARS-Cov-2

The series of pre-clinical studies indicated that Stenoparib showed inhibitory activity against Coronavirus in LLC-MK2 cells as a single agent. In addition, Stenoparib in combination with remdesivir was active in inhibiting SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in VERO E6 cells. The concentration of Stenoparib required for virus inhibition was lower in the combination study than in the single agent study. The two drugs target the virus through unique but different mechanisms of action. Remdesivir blocks the RNA replication enzyme, while Stenoparib, as an inhibitor of PARP1/PARP2  (Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerases) and tankyrase 1 and 2 inhibits virus assembly and inhibits the negative effects of virus infection on the human body such as cytokine storm and necrosis.

“We are very excited that the pre-clinical tests of Stenoparib showed anti-viral activity against SARS-Cov-2 indicating its promise as a potential treatment for COVID-19,” says Steve R. Carchedi, CEO of Oncology Venture. “We intend to work with FDA and NIH, as well as other funding sources, to advance Stenoparib as soon as possible into clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19. Exploring our novel drug as a promising new treatment for COVID-19 underscores our company commitment to develop new therapies for the improvement of patient care, and we are pleased to do whatever we can to provide a meaningful impact on solutions to this global pandemic.”

Image: 2d illustration of coronavirus, iStock