Benzinga | Feb 9, 2021 07:07AM EST

Additional Preclinical Data For Atea Pharma's COVID-19 Antiviral Drug Candidate, Highlighted In Online Manuscript

* Atea Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: AVIR) has announced the publication of new preclinical data highlighting the in vitro antiviral activity of AT-527 in inhibiting the replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

* A simulation using human pharmacokinetics combined with non-human primate tissue levels was also detailed in the online manuscript (Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy). Data showed that within two hours of dosing, AT-9010 (triphosphate active metabolite of AT-527) achieved concentrations that should inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication and that these adequate levels should be maintained throughout therapy. A twice-daily oral regimen of AT-527 at 550 mg is currently being studied in clinical trials.

* Little to no cytotoxicity was observed for AT-511 at concentrations up to 100 ?M. Substantial levels of the active triphosphate metabolite AT-9010 were formed in normal human bronchial and nasal epithelial cells incubated with 10 ?M AT-511.

* AT-527 is derived from Atea's nucleotide prodrug platform. In collaboration with Roche, the drug candidate is in a global Phase 2 study for hospitalized patients with moderate COVID-19 and a Phase 2 virology study in an outpatient setting. Phase 3 trial in the outpatient settings is planned.

* Price Action: AVIR stock closed 2.8% higher at $88.44 on Monday.