Dimerix confirms delivery method for DMX-200 in COVID-19 treatment, as global study ramps up testing

The company has now recruited clinical trial sites across Europe as part of the global REMAP-CAP study.

Biotech company Dimerix (ASX:DXB) has continued its recent run of positive news flow, with a market update on its collaboration with the global REMAP-CAP study into treatments for COVID-19.

The company has now completed a study confirming that nasogastric delivery (via feeding tube) is a safe and acceptable delivery method for a DMX-200 formulation, and can be provided to patients in intensive care who are unable to swallow a capsule.

The result means DXB’s proprietary DMX-200 drug treatment is now ready and available for recruitment across Europe, where COVID-19 cases continue to climb.

While vaccine rollouts are underway, the introduction of other advanced COVID-19 treatments remains crucial to overall health outcomes, Dimerix said.

In that context, the availability of DMX-200 could be a key factor as the global REMAP-CAP study network ramps up testing.

Global study

Endorsed by the World Health Organisation, the REMAP-CAP study is currently investigating more than 20 active treatments for COVID-19.

The study is recruiting around 100 patients a week across Europe, where it’s being funded directly by the European Union, and has initiated a master protocol across more than 290 clinical sites in eight global regions

The study’s lead European investigator, Dr Lennie Derde (MD PhD) said the availability of DMX-200 in the development of COVID-19 treatments was a “very exciting” development.

“We use innovative trial design to test a novel drug for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. Our collaboration with Dimerix gives us the best of both worlds,” Derde said.

In the context of the broader REMAP-CAP study, DMX-200 is a new investigational drug used in specific intervention studies aimed at the renin-angiotensin system, to help ease symptoms of patients suffering from COVID-19.

The protocol for the specific domain, called the “ACE2-RAS domain”, was published last year and presented to European regulators.

Through the University Medical Center Utrecht (UMCU) in Utrecht, Netherlands, Dimerix has now contracted with multiple REMAP-CAP clinical sites across Europe (including the UK).

Along with advancements in the use of DMX-200 as part of the REMAP-CAP study, Dimerix continues to build towards key Phase 3 trials for DMX-200 in the treatment of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare kidney disease.

With a busy year ahead, Dimerix CEO Nina Webster said the ongoing REMAP-CAP study was an exciting pathway to test the validity of DMX-200 in multiple use-cases, including COVID-19 treatments.

“We are delighted to be working with such a high calibre team towards helping reduce the burden of COVID-19 in patients globally, as well as address respiratory complications commonly associated with pneumonia more broadly,” Webster said.

This article was developed in collaboration with Dimerix, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.