Innovation Pharmaceuticals Inc (IPIX)

[Jhawker]

Highlights
• Brilacidin potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 in an ACE2 positive human lung cell line.
• Brilacidin achieved a high Selectivity Index of 426 (CC50=241µM/IC50=0.565µM).
• Brilacidin’s main mechanism appears to disrupt viral integrity and impact viral entry.
• Brilacidin and remdesivir exhibit excellent synergistic activity against SARS-CoV-2.
Significance Statement
SARS-CoV-2, the emergent novel coronavirus, has led to the current global COVID-19 pandemic, characterized by extreme contagiousness and high mortality rates. There is an urgent need for effective therapeutic strategies to safely and effectively treat SARS-CoV-2 infection. We demonstrate that brilacidin, a synthetic small molecule with peptide-like properties, is capable of exerting potent in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2, both as a standalone treatment and in combination with remdesivir, which is currently the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of COVID-19.”