Today: 25 May 2025
8 December 2021
2 mins read

Israel’s Opaganib Covid pill may be potent against Omicron

Studies on Opaganib have shown an apparent clinical benefit in reducing mortality, getting patients back onto room air and getting them out of the hospital faster…reports Asian Lite News

Israel-based RedHill Biopharma on Tuesday announced that its Covid pill Opaganib is expected to be unaffected by mutations associated with Omicron and other known Coronavirus’ variants of concern.

Opaganib, if approved, would target an entirely different and sicker patient population than the Pfizer and Merck oral drug candidates, which showed benefit only in non-hospitalised patients at the earliest stages of symptomatic infection.

Israel’s Opaganib Covid pill may be potent against Omicron

“Opaganib acts independently of mutations to the viral spike protein. We believe that its unique proposed mechanism of action — targeting a protein in the human cell required by the virus for replication rather than the virus itself — holds significant potential versus Omicron and other existing and emerging variants with mutations to the spike protein,” the company said in a statement.

Data from the Opaganib Phase 2/3 study in moderate and severe Covid-19 patients is intriguing and suggests the possibility that Opaganib might prove itself as an effective anti-viral. In a subpopulation of patients defined as moderately severe based on their level of baseline oxygen supplementation, mortality was 62 per cent lower in those using Opaganib (16 per cent placebo vs. 6 per cent Opaganib).

The results suggest a sub-group of patients who would likely benefit from this therapy, and they highlight the need for additional studies in the development of this therapy.

“Omicron is just another reminder that Covid-19 is an endemic virus at this point, and it is not going away. The evolution of this virus will continue as long as it circulates, and we will need to continue to tweak our vaccines and monoclonal antibodies in order to respond to new variants as they arise,” said Kevin Winthrop, Professor of Infectious Diseases at Oregon Health & Science University.

Further, the company said its another oral Covid-19 drug candidate RHB-107 is also independent of the mutations observed in the Omicron variant that are altering the spike-protein antigenic properties.

ALSO READ: Cases of Omicron variant rise to 11 in Israel

RHB-107 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2/3 study in non-hospitalised Covid-19 patients in the US and in South Africa. The results are expected in the first quarter of 2022.

“Both opaganib and RHB-107 have unique human cell-targeted mechanisms of action that act independently of mutations at the spike protein. Given the gravity of the threat presented by Omicron, and the likely emergence of other variants, RedHill is pursuing development of these two promising Covid-19 pills as quickly and diligently as possible,” said Gilead Raday, RedHill’s Head of R&D.

Previous Story

Dubai to host AccessAbilities Expo in 2022

Next Story

Global Covid caseload tops 267 mn

Latest from Arab News

US Lifts Syria Sanctions

Syria faces fragile reconstruction path despite sanctions relief. On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a general license authorizing financial transactions with the interim Syrian government, the central bank, and state-owned enterprises.

EU lifts all economic sanctions on Syria

The European Union agreed to lift all remaining economic sanctions on Syria, hoping the relief will ease access to financial funds and speed up the war-battered country’s recovery after the fall of

UAE bakery aid reaches Gaza

The convoy is a crucial component of the UAE’s ongoing humanitarian strategy under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, which prioritises urgent food aid. A major humanitarian relief convoy has successfully entered the Gaza

‘Make It in Emirates’ boosts Dh11b projects

The event welcomed more than 122,000 visitors — a 20-fold increase over its previous edition — and drew participation from over 720 local and international industrial, financial, and technology entities. The fourth

UAE leads Arab health push in Genevaa

UAE Health Minister Al Owais highlights Arab unity at WHO Assembly, reaffirming commitment to global health, crisis response, and sustainable healthcare innovation for the future. The UAE underscored its regional leadership in
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Netanyahu pursuing plea deal

Israel’s former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pursuing a plea

Global Covid caseload tops 455.6 mn

The global coronavirus caseload has topped 455.6 million, while the