Benzinga | Jul 16, 2021 10:01AM EDT

AIkido Pharma Issues Update On Antiviral Platform With The University Of Maryland

AIkido Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:AIKI) ("AIkido" or the "Company") today provided an update to the progress of its antiviral platform with the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The Company stated:

The goal for the project is the identification and optimization of anti-viral compounds that inhibit viral replication by targeting a protein complex that degrades RNA at the cellular level. Scientists have identified proteins that are required for viral replication in these viruses. Computers were also used to aid the drug design approach by identifying compounds that are predicted to block viral replication. From this work, scientists have identified 4 lead compounds that block Influenza, Coronavirus (CoV-2), and Ebolavirus replication.

Anthony Hayes, CEO of AIkido Pharma stated, "Moving forward, the upcoming phase is to optimize the best of these compounds to make them even better. At the same time, the scientists will take the compounds and measure how well they are bioavailable in the lungs when given either as an injection or as an oral dosing. Ultimately the goal is to have compounds that demonstrate strong antiviral activity against Influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, and Ebolavirus. These illnesses have significant unmet medical needs as demonstrated by their continued resurgence and represent tremendous market opportunities."