Pfizer discloses the progress of multiple anti novel coronavirus projects

On April 10, Pfizer disclosed the development progress of several new coronavirus related projects of the company. As one of the world's four major vaccine companies, together with its products azithromycin and JAK inhibitor tofacitib, it was previously thought that it may have an aftereffect on the suppression of the new coronavirus. Pfizer's related research and development progress and attention.

For the new coronavirus, Pfizer is currently conducting drug research and development through multiple routes such as old drugs, new drug development, vaccines, and viral mechanisms.

For the new use of old drugs, the main drugs are azithromycin and JAK inhibitor tofacitib.

Among them, azithromycin has received considerable attention because it was "carried" by US President Trump. A previous French researcher also said that its use of azithromycin combined with antiviral drugs to treat new coronary pneumonia has reached 100% efficiency, but because the clinical sample size is too small. Highly questioned.

Pfizer said that in order to share information that will help alleviate the epidemic of the new coronavirus, Pfizer researchers will publish a review article in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapy to evaluate the in vitro and clinical effects of azithromycin as a preparation with antiviral properties data. This data may be helpful for the future research of azithromycin for new coronavirus.

Another drug is the JAK inhibitor tofacitib (Shang Jie, Xeljanz), Pfizer said it expects tofacitib in Italy with SARS-CoV-2 interstitial pneumonia later this week. The application of a second phase study initiated by an independent research institution.

The study of tofacitib is based on JAK inhibitors that can reduce the systemic and alveolar inflammation of patients with new coronary pneumonia by suppressing the signal transduction of basic cytokines involved in immune-mediated inflammation (which may lead to lung damage)-these inflammations Led to the assumption of acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with new coronary pneumonia.

In addition, Pfizer is discussing more research projects with other institutions, involving tofacitib and other immunomodulators in future product lines.

Pfizer and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine's Respiratory Tract Infection Clinical Research Group are conducting two new studies to gain insight into the interaction between S. pneumoniae and SARS-CoV-2. Pfizer is expected to reach a research cooperation agreement with Liverpool in the next few days in order to provide funding and laboratory physical testing support for this research.

The SAFER study (assessment of SARS-CoV-2-information response by frontline medical staff) and the FASTER study (promote rapid SARS CoV-2 classification test) will help prove whether the risk of pneumococcal pneumonia in patients with new coronary pneumonia Higher, and whether infection with both pneumonias at the same time will lead to more serious disease and worse outcomes. The SAFER study will recruit 100 medical staff at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, and investigate the infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 and the dynamics of pneumococcal colonization. The FASTER study will recruit 400 patients suspected of having coronavirus from the infectious disease ward of Royal Liverpool Hospital. Enrollment has now begun and data are expected to be available in the coming months.

In the screening of new drugs, Pfizer revealed that based on the results of preliminary screening analysis, it has been confirmed that a lead compound and its analogs may be highly effective inhibitors of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 class 3C (3CL) protease. Preliminary data indicate that this lead protease inhibitor has antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Pfizer will conduct pre-clinical confirmatory research on this, including further antiviral analysis and evaluation of the suitability of lead molecules for clinical intravenous administration.

At the same time, Pfizer is also investing in materials to accelerate the potential clinical research schedule for starting the lead molecule to the third quarter of 2020, three months or even earlier than previously estimated, provided that pre-clinical validation studies are completed And achieved positive results.

In addition, Pfizer will conduct two new studies to gain an in-depth understanding of the interaction between S. pneumoniae and SARS-CoV-2.

In terms of vaccines, Pfizer has previously signed a global cooperation agreement with BioNTech SE. Both parties will jointly develop a potential vaccine based on the mRNA-based coronavirus vaccine program to prevent the infection of new coronavirus. New clinical coronavirus vaccine candidates will be jointly tested at multiple research bases in the United States and Europe. BioNTech will provide a variety of candidate mRNA vaccines. It is expected that human trials will be conducted in April this year. Both parties estimate that once this R & D plan is technically successful and approved by regulatory agencies, it is expected to supply millions of doses of vaccines by the end of 2020 In 2021, it quickly expanded to the production capacity of hundreds of millions of agents. According to the agreement between the two parties, BioNTech will receive an advance payment of US $ 185 million (including an equity investment of approximately US $ 113 million) and is eligible to receive up to US $ 563 million in future staged payments (potential total consideration of US $ 748 million).

It is worth mentioning that Fosun Pharma has already won the rights of BioNTech's new crown vaccine in China.