After the authorization of an Investigational New Drug Application by the FDA as announced on 18 May, 2020, the new pharmaceutical subsidiary has declared that a randomized, double-blind phase 2 study will be started assessing merimepodib oral solution for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment. 

Merimepodib is an antiviral drug with proven efficacy in preclinical study against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Merimepodib when used alone or along with remdesivir, was linked with a substantial decrease in viral production in cell cultures as per the results of a study anticipating peer review. 

The phase 2 study will compare the safety and efficacy of merimepodib to placebo in hospitalized adult, COVID-19 patients who are either on non-invasive ventilation/high flow oxygen devices or are in need of additional oxygen. As expected, this study will be performed at various sites in the US.