BerGenBio: bemcentinib phase II trial in COVID-19
bemcentinib in COVID-19
COVID-19 is the clinical disease manifested as a result of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection which is responsible for the current COVID-19 pandemic. Preclinical data suggest that bemcentinib is potentially useful for the treatment of early SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Bemcentinib’s applicability to treat COVID-19 patients
Bemcentinib has been reported to exhibit potent anti-viral activity in preclinical models against several enveloped viruses, including Ebola and Zika virus. Recent data have expanded this to SARS-CoV-2
- Bemcentinib is a small molecule inhibitor that targets a cell-surface protein called AXL, which is one of several cell surface receptors used by enveloped viruses to enter cells
- Bemcentinib has been seen to inhibit virus entry into cells, suggesting it is potentially useful for the treatment of early SARS-CoV-2 infection
- Bemcentinib prevents inhibition of Type I Interferon, which is the cell’s anti-viral defence mechanism, again suggesting valuable utility in treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection
