Pittsburgh-based biotechnology company, CytoAgents began Phase 1 trials on a drug they believe will change the way COVID-19 is treated. Although, by the end of December, Americans could start receiving the coronavirus vaccine, the biotechnology company holds that it needs to be complemented to be really effective.
“The ultimate solution will be a combination of vaccines, testing, and treatment,” said Teresa Whalen, CytoAgents CEO.
CytoAgents claims that its new drug will also improve the treatment of other illnesses.”Our drug treats the underlying causes of illness,” said Whalen.
The drug is called GP1691. It’s an oral pill that helps a body in cytokine storm, which is an immune response where the body starts to attack its own cells instead of just fighting the virus. Scientists believe this is what is occurring in COVID-19 positive patients and it also explains why some have mild symptoms, while for others it is deadly.
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“We look to prevent patients from progressing and going into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU),” said Whalen. “To prevent them from requiring ventilation and to get them out of the hospital, or keep them at home giving them an orally available treatment.”
CytoAgents says, because GP1681 addresses the body’s immune response, it would be effective in treating other illnesses or if the COVID-19 virus mutates.
“We need treatment for viruses, that when they mutate, they still work,” said Whalen. “For viruses, when we need time to develop a new vaccine, we have treatments that still work, and that’s gp1681.”
No price tag yet
There is not price tag for GP1681 yet, but CytoAgents expects it to be a coule hundred dollars, which they say is cost effective, compared to other COVID-19 treatments costing thousands.
Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported an additional 11,972 positive cases of COVID-19 and 248 new deaths on Thursday.
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