RedHill Biopharma Ltd., a specialty biopharmaceutical company, has announced the enrollment of the first patient in the ACESO PROTECT multinational platform trial for early COVID-19 outpatient treatment. The trial is evaluating RHB-107 (upamostat), a novel oral antiviral, and is supported by the U.S. Department of Defense among other non-dilutive external sources. The study, which is expected to conclude by the end of 2024, is being conducted across multiple countries including the U.S., Thailand, Ivory Coast, South Africa, and Uganda. RHB-107 has previously shown promising results in a U.S. Phase 2 study, with a significant reduction in COVID-19 hospitalizations and new severe symptoms. The drug is host-directed and is expected to be effective against viral variants due to...Show More

RedHill Biopharma Ltd., a specialty biopharmaceutical company, has announced the enrollment of the first patient in the ACESO PROTECT multinational platform trial for early COVID-19 outpatient treatment. The trial is evaluating RHB-107 (upamostat), a novel oral antiviral, and is supported by the U.S. Department of Defense among other non-dilutive external sources. The study, which is expected to conclude by the end of 2024, is being conducted across multiple countries including the U.S., Thailand, Ivory Coast, South Africa, and Uganda. RHB-107 has previously shown promising results in a U.S. Phase 2 study, with a significant reduction in COVID-19 hospitalizations and new severe symptoms. The drug is host-directed and is expected to be effective against viral variants due to its mechanism of action. RedHill's COO, Gilead Raday, highlighted the potential of RHB-107 to provide an additional treatment option for early COVID-19 alongside existing treatments like Paxlovid. The company is also progressing with opaganib, another oral drug, for pandemic preparedness, including Acute Radiation Syndrome, in collaboration with the U.S. National Institutes of Health.