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Novel, orally available immune modulator MP1032 with anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-cytokine activity

Project description

Novel oral drug for prevention of COVID-19 associated illness progression from early to severe stages

The prevention of the progression of COVID-19 associated illness from early to severe stages is required to reduce disease burden, hospitalisation in intensive care units, and mortality. The Swiss firm MetrioPharm has developed MP1032, a novel drug with a dual mode of action. It targets immune system overactivation and viral replication, the two critical points in the development of COVID-19 illness. The oral delivery, safety profile, rapid and affordable production, and potential to act against other viral variants make MP1032 the ideal candidate for early treatment. The EU-funded iMPact project aims to clinically validate MP1032 in a Phase IIa trial for its ability to prevent disease progression with the potential for rapid Phase IIb/III development and market registration.

Objective

The current global COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe health and socio-economic challenges. Despite significant improvements in the treatment of critical COVID-19 patients and advances in vaccine development, there is still an urgent need for safe and effective early-intervention treatments. To reduce disease burden, hospitalization time, and mortality, it is of critical importance to halt disease progression in early (mild-to-moderate) stages.

Our new drug, MP1032, has a dual mode of action, targeting two important mechanisms (immune system overactivation and viral replication) in the early development of COVID-19. Its unique mechanism of self-regulation prevents immune-suppression, which is critical for early intervention. In combination with the oral availability, favourable safety profile, rapid and affordable production scale-up, and potential to work against viral variants, MP1032 is the ideal candidate for early treatment of COVID-19, which can also be used safely in high-risk patients. Therefore, the iMPact project aims to clinically validate MP1032 in a Phase II trial for its ability to stop COVID-19 disease progression. The outcome of the project shall serve as a basis for follow-up rapid Phase IIb/III development and market registration.

Four international SMEs will work together in the iMPact project to achieve the objectives: 1) To demonstrate the efficacy of MP-1032 in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 2) To demonstrate the effect of MP1032 on current SARS-CoV-2 variants, 3) To develop a GMP-compliant production scale-up process for MP1032, 4) To ensure that the clinical development plan is in line with regulatory requirements and 5) To collaborate with existing EU research networks. We have 29 clinical sites on board, and the required expertise for upscaling GMP manufacturing and regulatory preparation is available, ensuring that, by October 2022, MP1032 will be ready to progress to Phase IIb/III trials.

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Keywords

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-HLTH-2021-CORONA-01

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Coordinator

METRIOPHARM AG
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 6 683 759,19
Address
EUROPAALLEE 41
8004 ZURICH
Switzerland

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Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Zürich Zürich
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 7 648 407,00

Participants (5)

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