https://www.resverlogix.com/investors/news.html?article=661

March 23, 2020

Resverlogix Invites Collaborations for use of Apabetalone in Trials and Studies to Combat the Spread of COVID-19 Based on New Research

Recent findings point to BET protein and ACE2 inhibition as a possible means to slow and reduce the impact of COVID-19

CALGARY, Alberta, March 23, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Resverlogix Corp. (“Resverlogix”) (TSX: RVX) announces that it is seeking to collaborate with organizations currently testing therapies for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19) in pre-clinical or clinical models. Apabetalone prevents specialized proteins – called bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins – from activating the expression of disease-associated and other genes, potentially disrupting SARS-CoV-2 reproduction while also limiting the entry of the virus into human cells.

In a recent New York Times article published on March 17th, 2020, researchers at the Quantitative Biosciences Institute Coronavirus Research Group, University of California, San Francisco, identified the human bromodomain-containing protein (BRD2) – a direct target of apabetalone – as a critical interaction partner for SARS-CoV-2. Publications are pending. BRD2 binds to the E (envelope) protein of the virus particles and is believed to participate in the viral reproduction process. Furthermore, apabetalone is known to inhibit expression of Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the receptor utilized by the novel coronavirus particles to gain entry into human cells. Together, these observations suggest apabetalone treatment may potentially reduce viral entry into cells, and limit virus particles’ ability to replicate.

“Resverlogix is prepared for immediate action to help address the global pandemic of COVID-19, to which there is no current effective treatment. We must act quickly,” said Donald McCaffrey, President and CEO of Resverlogix. “Apabetalone is the only BET inhibitor with a proven clinical safety record as shown by the results of the Phase 3 trial, BETonMACE. No other therapies in this class are prepared to directly enter late stage clinical trials and we would like to collaborate quickly with anyone who is testing drugs for COVID-19 in preclinical and clinical studies. To help expedite development in this space, interested stakeholders such as patient advocacy groups, government health bodies, pharmaceutical companies, and/or non-government research organizations are encouraged to contact Resverlogix to further the research and development of apabetalone as a therapeutic for COVID-19.”

Interested COVID-19 collaborators can contact:

Donald McCaffrey, President & CEO
don@resverlogix.com
1-587-390-7888