Zenesel "Oral COVID-19 Treatment Drug Applies for Domestic Phase 2b and 3 Clinical Trials"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Genencell announced on the 12th that it recently applied to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for approval of the Phase 2b/3 clinical trial plan (IND) in South Korea for its oral COVID-19 treatment candidate, 'ES16001.'

ES16001 is a COVID-19 treatment candidate based on a novel material extracted from the leaves of the native Korean plant, Dambalsu. Last year, a Phase 2 clinical trial was conducted in India. This clinical trial will focus on preventing the progression to severe disease in early infected patients, thereby reducing hospitalization and mortality rates, and enabling treatment during the asymptomatic phase.

ES16001 was initially developed as a treatment for shingles through a national project by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs at Kyung Hee University Biomedical Research Center (Director Professor Kang Se-chan). One of its active components, 'Geranin,' has a mechanism that inhibits viral infection and replication, as well as suppresses host cell invasion and reactivation. The company expects that ES16001 can inhibit the binding activity of the RBD (receptor-binding domain) of the causative virus 'SARS-CoV2' and alleviate symptoms in COVID-19 as well.

Professor Kang Se-chan of Kyung Hee University College of Life Sciences, who developed ES16001, stated, "Once the clinical plan is approved, we will proceed with patient recruitment and administration immediately, and promptly apply for global clinical trials in European countries to secure clinical results as soon as possible." He added, "We plan to launch the drug at a significantly lower price compared to oral treatments developed overseas, securing a competitive advantage."