Benzinga | Sep 11, 2020 09:06AM EDT

AIkido Pharma Highlights Peer-Reviewed Publication Of Results From Study Of Antiviral Compounds Licensed From University Of Maryland

AIkido Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:AIKI) ("AIkido" or the "Company") today announced the publication of positive results from a study of antiviral activity of FDA approved drugs in a peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Virology. The publication cites that 17 of the 20 FDA-approved drugs studied inhibit SARS-CoV-2 at non-cytotoxic concentrations.



Mr. Anthony Hayes, CEO of AIkido stated, "The publication of a peer-reviewed study in a highly-revered journal represents additional validation of University of Maryland, Baltimore's (UMB) antiviral platform. The results clearly articulate the technology we have optioned from the university, and we are encouraged by the opportunities we may be able to pursue with the platform".

In the article, which was co-authored by investigators from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, 17 of the 20 FDA approved drugs against SARS-CoV-2 that also inhibit SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV inhibit SARS-CoV-2 at non-cytotoxic concentrations suggesting these may have pan-anti-coronaviral activity.

The full article is available at https://jvi.asm.org/content/early/2020/08/13/JVI.01218-20.

The Company previously executed a Master License Agreement with UMB for specific antiviral compounds discovered by UMB that seek to inhibit replication of multiple viruses, including Influenza virus, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, Ebolavirus and Marburg virus. The technology is covered by two patent applications already on file with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Company previously executed a Sponsored Research Agreement with UMB to support the development of the technology.