Two studies involving the use of DMX-200 are advancing rapidly, as part of global research efforts to develop improved treatment solutions for COVID-19 respiratory failure.

For Dimerix (ASX:DXB), 2022 is shaping up as a busy year as it executes on a multi-channel development approach for its proprietary DMX-200 drug treatment.

The company’s latest operational highlights were summarised in its recent 4C filing, including first approvals for its major long-term project — the global Phase 3 study for DMX-200 in the treatment of FSGS (a rare kidney disease).

And nearer-term, CEO Nina Webster highlighted a number of exciting developments with respect to the company’s participation in two global clinical trials – the CLARITY 2.0 study and the REMAP-CAP study — where Dimerix is assessing the effectiveness of DMX-200 in the treatment of COVID-19.

 

Key milestones

Among DXB’s recent update, Webster highlighted developments for the REMAP-CAP study in Europe.

Backed by a global sponsor (REMAP-CAP) and run by a network of leading clinical specialists and physicians, the trial is being run for patients who have been hospitalised with moderate to severe COVID-19 symptoms.

As part of the trial, patients are dosed with one of three ‘RAS blockade’ treatments to test the effectiveness of reducing lung and breathing complications.

“Across Europe and the UK, more than 740 patients have been recruited to the study domain now. So that’s not a small study and it’s a high-quality study,” Webster said.

That accompanies strong momentum in the CLARITY 2.0 study, which is taking place across Australia and India.

Earlier this month, Dimerix flagged that patient dosing in India has now commenced for therapies which include DMX-200.

An interim safety analysis will be carried out once the first 80 patients in India have received a dose.

And importantly it gives investors another near-term milestone to look forward to, with results expected before the end of the March quarter.

 

Improved treatment solution

With key updates coming up across both of its COVID-19 studies, Webster also highlighted the potential application advantage over antiviral treatment solutions.

“In general practice, antiviral treatments are usually given in the first 3-5 days from infection, because that’s when they are most effective at stopping viral replications,” Webster said.

In that context, they are, “usually very specific to a particular virus and sometimes a particular strain”, she added.

That’s a problem in diseases such as COVID-19, where patients often don’t present symptoms in that time period once the virus has been contracted.

In contrast, DMX-200 “does not rely on early inhibition of viral replication,” the company said.

Its targeted effect is to prevent a damaging immune response and flooding of the lungs – regardless of a patient’s disease or vaccination status.

 

The war against everything

“So what we’re developing is absolutely to fight against COVID-19, but potentially other infections too,” Webster said.

“Because ultimately what we’re working on is the inflammatory response to reduce respiratory failure.”

Just as importantly, “what it also means is that if we’re effective in this, it’s likely to be just as effective as any strain (of COVID-19) as well as other pneumonias”, Webster said.

“So it’s a much bigger market than just targeting COVID-19 symptoms, because of the way it works.”

With that in mind, investors will be eagerly awaiting the results of both global studies which give Dimerix direct involvement in improved treatment solutions as the global economy tries to emerge from the pandemic.

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.

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