Engichem Life Sciences Accelerates Phase 2 Clinical Trial of COVID-19 Treatment

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Engchem Life Sciences announced on the 11th that it is accelerating efforts to develop a treatment for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The Phase 2 clinical trial underway in Korea is being conducted on patients with mild COVID-19 pneumonia who do not require oxygen therapy. Approximately 70% of the target patients have been recruited at Chungbuk National University Hospital, Incheon Medical Center, Inha University Hospital, Seoul Medical Center, and Gachon University Gil Medical Center. The Phase 2 clinical trial in the United States, the first of its kind in Korea, is targeting early severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients who require low-flow oxygen therapy.

Engchem Life Sciences expects that the immune-modulating mechanism of EC-18 will help rapidly and effectively resolve excessive inflammation caused by COVID-19 infection. By suppressing the cytokine storm, it can reduce the possibility of severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome that may occur in COVID-19 patients. In addition to the inflammation resolution mechanism, the antiviral effect of EC-18 can also inhibit the proliferation of cells infected by the COVID-19 virus.

Son Ki-young, CEO of Engchem Life Sciences, stated, "We are the only domestic company conducting Phase 2 clinical trials for COVID-19 treatments simultaneously in Korea and the United States," and added, "With infectious disease experts joining us, we will strive to develop safe and effective new drugs."