Candidate: BXT-10
Type: Polysaccharide galectin inhibitor designed to restore the adaptive immune system to normal function by binding to and neutralizing Galectin-3 and Galectin-1. Binding activity is localized to the galactose containing side branches, preventing the virus from entering the host cell, and thus modulating any existing cytokine storm. The company cites preclinical evidence that a galectin inhibitor can bind to the protein spikes of the coronavirus.
Status: Bioxytran on March 31 disclosed BXT-10’s expected mechanism of action against COVID-19 in a presentation that cited several studies published over the past five years indicating that Galectin-1 is implicated in viral pathogenesis. Studies in mice showed that mice share the same N-terminal domain as humans—and that both SARS and COVID-19 share the similar N-terminal domain. Bioxytran reasons that a galectin-1 inhibitor could bind to coronavirus spikes and reduce viral load.
“The journal articles provide a strong foundation that galectin-1 is implicated in COVID-19,” CEO David Platt stated.
A day earlier, BioXyTran said it intended to internally develop a novel carbohydrate Galectin inhibitor—and terminated an agreement announced March 24 to license a galectin inhibitor from its CEO and Chairman David Platt, PhD, saying the novel candidate “can be more responsive to the immediate needs posed by COVID-19.” Bioxytrain added that it planned to obtain additional funding for the internal development effort, and file for expedited trials under new FDA guidelines.
COVID-19: 200 Candidates and Counting
To navigate through the >200 potential therapeutic and vaccine options for COVID-19, GEN has grouped the candidates into four broad categories based on their developmental and (where applicable) clinical progress:
● FRONT RUNNER – the most promising therapeutics/vaccines based on clinical progress, favorable data or both.
● DEFINITELY MAYBE – earlier phases with promising partners, or more advanced candidates in development that have generated uneven data
● KEEPING AN EYE ON… – interesting technology, attracting notable partners, or both, but preliminary data.
● TOO SOON TO TELL – longshots pending additional experimental and/or clinical data.
GEN has also tagged the most common treatment types:
● ANTIVIRAL
● VAX
● ANTIBODY
● RNA
