Catalent and ViralClear Pharmaceuticals partner on potential COVID-19 treatment

The CDMO will work on developing a solution and a solid oral dosage form of ViralClear's merimepodib.

ViralClear is undertaking research to investigate the potential of merimepodib to fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus, either as a standalone treatment, or in combination with other anti-viral agents or immune modulators.

Merimepodib, which was previously in development as a treatment for chronic hepatitis C and psoriasis by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, is intended to be orally administered and has demonstrated broad-spectrum in vitro antiviral activity, including strong activity against SARS-CoV-2 in cell cultures.

Catalent has already manufactured clinical trial materials of ViralClear's merimepodib oral solution for the current Phase II clinical trial and is performing further product development on liquid-filled oral formulations.

Catalent will work on the program at its St Petersburg, Florida, facility, manufacturing oral solution for clinical studies, as well as undertaking feasibility studies on other liquid-filled oral formulations.

“Finding treatments for the pandemic we are faced with is a global priority, and, as a world leader in softgel development and manufacturing, Catalent is ideally suited to work on this program with ViralClear,” commented Dr Aris Gennadios, President, Softgel & Oral Technologies. “Our expertise and more than 85 years of experience in lipid-based formulation will facilitate rapid clinical manufacturing and provide drug product that can be tested against the threat the virus poses as soon as possible.”