Benzinga | May 18, 2021 06:48AM EDT

Aerpio's Razuprotafib Can Help Against Blood Vessel Dysfunction In COVID-19 Patients

* Aerpio Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: ARPO) unveiled new data suggesting that its experimental COVID-19 drug, razuprotafib (AKB-9778), can potentially protect against profound endothelial dysfunction, a condition that can lead to blood vessel dysfunction.

* According to a preprint published in medRxiv, researchers found that by activating the Tie2 receptor, AKB-9778 reversed the prothrombotic state (abnormal blood clotting) induced by COVID-19 plasma in primary endothelial cells (those that provide signaling between the bloodstream and surrounding tissue).

* During inflammation triggered by COVID-19, the Tie2 antagonist angiopoietin-2 (Angpt-2) is released from activated endothelial cells and inhibits Tie2, potentially leading to thrombosis.

* "Our findings provide a novel rationale for current trials of Tie2 activating therapy with AKB-9778 in severe COVID-19 disease," the researchers wrote.

* The data is not peer-reviewed yet.

* Yesterday, Aerpio announced a reverse merger agreement with Aadi Bioscience.

* Price Action: ARPO shares trading 8.4% lower at $1.52 during the premarket session on the last check Tuesday.