Reckitt Benckiser’s (OTCPK:RBGPF) Lysol Disinfectant Spray has received U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval for use against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Lysol Disinfectant Spray was tested per EPA guidelines and was found to kill the virus at two minutes of use, according to the company.
Reckitt Benckiser reported record sales growth in Q1 and predicted a stronger-than-expected performance in 2020 as consumers stocked up on home products before coronavirus lockdowns.
GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) will collaborate with Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma (OTCPK:MTZPY) unit Medicago to develop and evaluate a COVID-19 vaccine that combines the latter’s Coronavirus Virus-Like Particles with GSK’s adjuvant.
A Phase 1 study, expected to start next week, will assess the safety and immunogenicity of three different dose levels of antigen combined with the GSK adjuvant and, in parallel, an adjuvant from a third party, administered on a one-dose and two-dose schedule (21 days apart).
If all goes well, the companies expect to complete development and have the vaccine available in H1 2021. They believe that they can produce ~100M doses by the end of 2021 and up to 1B doses/year by the end of 2023.
Glaxo is also supplying its adjuvant to AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) and Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY).
GSK down 2% premarket on light volume.
The FDA approves Philip Morris’ (PM -1.4%) IQOS Tobacco Heating System, the second set of modified risk tobacco products (MRTPs) to receive the agency nod.
IQOS tobacco products are the first to receive “exposure modification” orders, which permits the marketing of a product as containing a reduced level of or presenting a reduced exposure to a substance or as being free of a substance when the issuance of the order is expected to benefit the health of the population.
The orders cover noncombustible cigarette products, including Marlboro Heatsticks, Marlboro Fresh Menthol Heatsticks and Marlboro Smooth Menthol Heatsticks.
FDA approval requires PM to conduct postmarket surveillance and studies to determine whether MRTP orders continue to be appropriate, including assessing the potential for increased use among youth.
Related tickers: British American Tobacco (BTI -1.1%), Altria (MO -0.8%), Imperial Brands (OTCQX:IMBBY -2.0%)
Innovation Pharmaceuticals (OTCQB:IPIX) reports the latest developments related to research into Brilacidin as a potential treatment for COVID-19.
Brilacidin has previously demonstrated robust in vitro antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2.
Most recently, Brilacidin exhibited a statistically significant (p<0.0001) and potent inhibitory effect on SARS-CoV-2 in a human lung epithelial cell line, reducing viral load by up to 97% compared to control.
A great efficacy in testing when administered as a pre-treatment was observed, in addition to being present during and post-infection.
The Company had a cash balance of ~$6M as of June 30.
Additionally, Innovation Pharma is in preparations for upcoming manufacture of the drug product for COVID-19 trial use.
Also, the company is refining drug formulation plans for a future planned Phase 2 trial of oral Brilacidin in Ulcerative Colitis as part of larger IBD Program.
Corvus Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:CRVS) rockets 116% premarket on the heels of initiating a Phase 1 study to investigate a novel immunotherapy approach for patients with COVID-19.
The company is studying an agonistic (immunostimulatory) humanized monoclonal antibody, designated as CPI-006, which has demonstrated a potential new approach to immunotherapy of infectious diseases and cancer.
The study is expected to enroll up to 30 patients with mild to moderate symptoms. Patients will receive a single dose of CPI-006, with levels of 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mg/kg, escalating in four cohorts as the study progresses.
The primary efficacy endpoint is the change in serum immunoglobulin (IgM and IgG) anti-SARS-CoV-2 levels compared to baseline at day 28. Study data are expected later this year.
“Our B cell activating monoclonal antibody may be a potential immunotherapy for COVID-19 based on its ability to stimulate the production of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies,” said Richard A. Miller, M.D., President and CEO.
Corvus will host a conference call and webcast today, at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the CPI-006 clinical trial for COVID-19.
