B’luru firm Bugworks begins work on drug against Covid-type viruses

Mumbai: Bengaluru-based Bugworks said it has started work on antiviral medication that can be potentially used against single-strand RNA viruses such as Coronavirus and Flavivirus. The experimental drug called VIROX-1 will be tested for both intravenous as well as oral formulation. In a recent interview to ET, Bugworks – chief scientific officer – Santanu Datta said the decision to initiate a programme on developing the potential antiviral was taken a year ago during Covid.

“It was an emotional decision, we are working on it, it’s still in a very early stage,” Datta said.

Datta said the potential antiviral is in an early pre-clinical (in vitro) stage.

The hunt for safe and effective Covid antivirals that can be used against Covid is on. Currently Pfizer’s Paxlovid and MSD-Ridgeback Biotherapeutics’ are two available options. Antivirals unlike monoclonal antibodies are capable of destroying viruses irrespective of mutations.

Along with antiviral – Bugworks is focused on advancing its lead molecule BWC0977 which is currently in Phase 1 clinical trial in Australia and is targeted against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) Datta said he expects the Phase-1 trial to end by November 2022.

“In the ongoing Phase-1 it is getting tested on healthy volunteers, in phase-2 it will be tested on the patients with types of infections,” Datta said.