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February 22, 2021

Biohaven drug shows promise against emerging COVID-19 variants

IMAGE | Pixabay.com

Biohaven Pharmaceuticals will advance its newly acquired COVID-19 treatment into human testing after lab studies showed it worked against multiple strains of the coronavirus — including the new and more worrisome variants.

The New Haven drug maker said Monday that preliminary experiments found its synthetic antibody-based treatment, BHV-1200, substantially reduced the virus’ entry into cells. 

And as the scientific world races to keep ahead of the ever-changing virus, Biohaven delivered more promising news: The drug also worked to neutralize both the English and South African variants, which are thought to be less susceptible to existing antibody-based treatments.

“Prophylactic and therapeutic agents with broad specificity against current and future strains will be essential in this ongoing fight to beat the virus,” Dr. Vlad Coric, Biohaven’s CEO, said in a statement. “We believe that BHV-1200 could lead to enhanced efficacy and other benefits over convalescent plasma and alternative antibody-based approaches.” 

Biohaven obtained the drug as part of its acquisition in January of fellow Elm City biotech Kleo Pharmaceuticals, which had been developing it with the help of a $5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The drug leverages a proprietary technology known as MATE (multimodal antibody therapy enhancer), which uses a new class of synthetic peptide binders to target the virus’ spike protein. 

The binders are then combined with commercially available intravenous immunoglobulin (IVG) plasma to create a synthetic drug that mimics an antibody known as hyperimmune globulin (HGM), which is found in the plasma of patients who have recovered from COVID-19.

Biohaven said its synthetic binders were designed to establish a much wider area and number of contacts with the spike protein than other agents, like monoclonal antibodies.

Additionally, data from the studies indicate the drug may activate important immune system components that play a role in fighting infectious disease, Biohaven said.

The company said the drug could also be used against other infectious diseases by changing the targeting components of its antibody binders.

Biohaven officials have not said when they expect to begin human trials on the drug.

Biohaven is best known for its recently approved migraine pill Nurtec ODT. The COVID drug is being developed by Biohaven’s research subsidiary, Biohaven Labs, which is based at Science Park.

Contact Natalie Missakian at news@newhavenbiz.com

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