Naivek-Chemical Research Institute Confirms Efficacy of Inhalable COVID-19 Treatment

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyungsoo Park] Naivek announced on the 30th that the 'inhalable COVID-19 treatment' jointly developed with the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology has confirmed therapeutic efficacy in cell experiments (in-vitro). It was also found to be effective against the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma variants. It was confirmed to have more than twice the antiviral effect against the Delta virus, which is considered the dominant strain. Naivek is conducting additional efficacy verification procedures through COVID-19 infected animal models (in-vivo) following the cell experiments.

Naivek is developing an inhalable COVID-19 treatment by applying its proprietary drug delivery platform ‘NIPEP-TPP’ to the COVID-19 drug candidate substance introduced from the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology. The inhalable formulation technology, which Naivek has already applied to pulmonary fibrosis treatments, has completed efficacy verification through a France-based ‘inhalation formulation specialist company.’ The advantage is that a single inhalation evenly delivers the drug throughout the lungs, enhancing its efficacy.

The COVID-19 treatment candidate substance developed by Naivek exhibits excellent antiviral efficacy. It shows antiviral activity through a mechanism differentiated from existing drugs, resulting in rapid symptom relief upon COVID-19 infection. By applying the drug delivery platform ‘NIPEP-TPP,’ the drug can be delivered directly to the lungs, acting quickly and accurately on inflammation and the virus even at low doses.

A Naivek official stated, "In cell experiments conducted by the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, it was confirmed that the treatment is effective against the Delta virus as well as the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma variant viruses."

He added, "It was confirmed that the antiviral effect against the Delta virus is more than twice as high. Currently, experiments including lung delivery are underway using COVID-19 infected animal models."

Because the inhalable formulation delivers the drug directly to the lungs, it not only directly suppresses viral replication in the lungs but also enables virus eradication. It is expected to prevent and block pulmonary fibrosis, a representative sequela of COVID-19.

The official said, "Since the candidate substance developed by the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology has been externally verified for excellent ‘antiviral properties’ and safety, it is expected that a treatment can be developed quickly based on actual infected animal model results."

He emphasized, "The fastest way to develop a COVID-19 treatment is to rapidly commercialize a drug candidate with verified safety through the ‘drug repositioning’ process."