Sareum releases 'encouraging' results from Covid-19 research

Specialist drug development company Sareum announced “encouraging” top-line results from its UKRI grant-funded Covid-19 research project on Thursday.

The AIM-traded firm said the goal of the research project was to investigate the effects of SDC-1801, its proprietary TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor, on cytokine signalling after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

It was also designed to confirm whether an over-active inflammatory response, known as a 'cytokine storm', via the Interferon type-1 pathway could be blocked in the disease by SDC-1801.

The project completed on schedule, with the final results confirming the initial encouraging results as the company indicated in April.

It said the project found that SDC-1801 reduced the levels of cytokines associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in human lung cells infected with SARS-CoV-2, and demonstrated a profile that was superior to the anti-inflammatory steroid dexamethasone and similar to baricitinib, a JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor.

Subsequent completed in-vivo studies supported the initial cellular results, indicating strong evidence that the expression of type-1 interferons was reduced by SDC-1801 treatment in a dose-responsive manner.

It also indicated that viral loads did not increase after SDC-1801 administration, which was a potential concern when anti-inflammatory agents were used to dampen down an over-active immune response.

A secondary objective, the investigation into whether treatment with SDC-1801 in disease models could protect against bacterial pneumonia following SARS-CoV-2 infection, was inconclusive due to technical shortcomings in the disease model.

Subject to the successful completion of the ongoing preclinical toxicology studies, requisite approvals and financing, the firm was aiming to start phase 1 clinical trials for SDC-1801 in early 2022.

The timing and design of the clinical trials for Covid-19 applications would be determined following consultations with experts in the field.

“The results from our Covid-19 research project are very encouraging and provide clear evidence of the potential of SDC-1801 to reduce the excessive inflammatory response seen in severe Covid-19,” said chief scientific officer Dr John Reader.

“We are keen to progress this project to the next stage and will now explore our options to find the best way to fund these next steps.

“This could include the UK government's AGILE clinical development platform, which was established to fund phase 1 trials and fast-track the development of potentially ground-breaking Covid-19 treatments.”

Dr Reader said those activities were expected to run in parallel with the broader SDC-1801 development plan, targeting autoimmune diseases.

“We look forward to providing updates on our progress as we reach key milestones in the development of SDC-1801.”

At 1629 BST, shares in Sareum Holdings were up 15.65% at 6.65p.