Rhizen Pharmaceuticals, a  wholly-owned subsidiary of Alembic Pharmaceuticals announced on Wednesday, the approval of its Investigational New Drug application by the US drug regulator, (USFDA) to study its oral DHODH inhibitor for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Rhizen Pharma announced that its initial study will evaluate ascending doses of RP7214, a DHODH inhibitor that has demonstrated potent inhibition of Covid-19 viral replication. The study is expected to begin as early as December 2020, the company stated in a press release to the Bombay Stock Exchange. It further announced 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.

Speaking on the announcement, Mr. Swaroop Vakkalanka, President & CEO at Rhizen Pharmaceuticals went on saying that given RP7214’s unique preclinical profile, high oral bioavailability, robust anti-viral potency and broad anti-inflammatory role, it is likely to support the eventual development as a potential treatment for Covid-19.

Reacting the developments,  the stock of Alembic Pharmaceuticals closed at Rs 991 per share, up by Rs 5.70 per share on BSE, against a 0.08pc decline in the benchmark index.

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