(Photo provided by Shinpoong Pharmaceutical)
Shinpoong Pharmaceutical has been approved for phase 2/3 clinical trials of the antimalarial drug’Piramax’ (ingredient name pyronaridin phosphate, altesunate), which is being developed as a treatment for Corona 19, from the FDA Philippines. It was revealed on the 7th.
This clinical trial confirms the efficacy and safety of Pyramax as a treatment for COVID-19 in 402 mild, moderate and severe patients. It is held in a total of 6 hospitals, centered on the Philippine General Hospital, a clinical trial institution in the Philippines.
Shinpoong Pharmaceutical is planning to accelerate the development of COVID-19 treatment by entering the third global clinical trial following the second phase in Korea and South Africa. In this clinical trial, the safety and efficacy of Piramax according to the severity of the disease in 20 patients are evaluated as a phase 2 trial, and then a total of 382 patients in a suitable patient group are randomly assigned and a phase 3 cancer blind trial is conducted.
An official of the company said, “In domestic clinical trials, clinical trials are being added, and clinical trials in South Africa are progressing smoothly.” If the clinical trial in the Philippines, which was approved this time, is completed, global clinical results can be secured in more than 600 patients. Based on that, I will apply for emergency use approval as quickly as possible in Korea.”
Piramax is attracting attention, as the possibility of curing COVID-19 has been published in international journals. Researchers-led clinical trial support, such as a research team at St. Georges Medical School in London, UK, is also actively discussing. In the thesis, Professor Sanjeev Krishna said, “It is still too early to conclude that pyronaridin altesunate has the effect of treating Corona 19, but laboratory research results are promising.” In order to increase it, it is necessary to quickly proceed with clinical trials.”