Cocrystal Pharma and Chemomab Therapeutics have recently provided updates on their respective drug development programs, focusing on antiviral and fibro-inflammatory therapeutics. Both companies are advancing clinical trials and preparing for future studies, with key milestones expected in the near term.
Cocrystal Pharma's Antiviral Pipeline
Cocrystal Pharma (Nasdaq: COCP) is focused on developing broad-spectrum antivirals using its structure-based drug discovery platform. The company's pipeline includes programs targeting influenza A and norovirus, significant global health threats.
Influenza A Program
CC-42344, an oral PB2 inhibitor, is currently in a Phase 2a human challenge study to evaluate its safety, tolerability, and antiviral activity in influenza A-infected subjects. Topline results from this study are expected by the end of the year. "The coming months are critically important to Cocrystal as we expect to report topline results from two ongoing clinical studies with our best-in-class antiviral candidates in major medical indications," said Sam Lee, Ph.D., President and co-CEO of Cocrystal.
In vitro studies have demonstrated that CC-42344 inhibits the activity of the new highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) PB2 protein. Cocrystal plans to file an IND application in 2025 to conduct a late-stage study in the U.S.
Norovirus Program
CDI-988, an oral pan-viral protease inhibitor, is being evaluated as a potential treatment for norovirus and coronavirus infections. A Phase 1 study is underway to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of oral CDI-988 in healthy volunteers. Topline results from this study are expected in late 2024 or early 2025. In vitro studies have shown that CDI-988 exhibits pan-viral activity against multiple norovirus strains.
Chemomab Therapeutics' CM-101 for Fibro-inflammatory Diseases
Chemomab Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CMMB) is developing CM-101, a first-in-class dual activity monoclonal antibody, for fibro-inflammatory diseases with high unmet need. The company recently announced financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024, and provided a corporate update.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) Program
CM-101 is being developed as a potential disease-modifying treatment for PSC. The company reported positive data from its CM-101 Phase 2 SPRING trial in patients with PSC. "The positive data from this trial represents a major clinical proof-of-concept for CM-101 as a potential disease-modifying treatment for PSC and other fibro-inflammatory diseases," said Adi Mor, PhD, co-founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of Chemomab.
Chemomab is on track to complete two important milestones in the first quarter of 2025: agreement with the FDA on the design of a PSC pivotal trial for CM-101 and reporting new clinical data from the open label portion of the Phase 2 SPRING trial. The company anticipates launching the PSC registrational trial later in 2025.
The Phase 2 SPRING trial data will be the subject of a late-breaking oral presentation at the upcoming 2024 AASLD conference.
Financial Updates
Cocrystal Pharma reported unrestricted cash of $13.0 million as of September 30, 2024. Chemomab Therapeutics reported cash and short-term bank deposits of $19.5 million as of September 30, 2024, which the company believes will fund its operations through the beginning of 2026.
