|
 Shionogi discovered the drug, known as BGE-175, and developed it to
treat allergic rhinitis.
The compound is expected to help restore immune function and in turn
"may reduce the severity of various infectious diseases, including
COVID-19," the company said in a statement.
BioAge will have exclusive rights to BGE-175 for the treatment of
COVID-19 in the United States and Europe in exchange for an upfront
payment as well as milestones and royalties, it added.
The U.S. biotech plans to start a Phase II trial of the drug for
COVID-19 in the first half of 2021.
[to top of second column] |
Shionogi is also developing a recombinant
protein vaccine for COVID-19 that is now in
combined Phase I and II trials in Japan.
The company is betting on a proven platform to
help it become Japan's biggest home-grown
COVID-19 vaccine producer.
(Reporting by Rocky Swift in Tokyo; Editing by
Miyoung Kim, Michael Perry and Sherry
Jacob-Phillips)
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