Immunodominant Announces Call for Initial Investment Round for Phase 2 Study of Of OTC COVID-19 Drug

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Nov. 15, 2022 - PRLog -- Immunodominant Inc., a drug discovery and development company engaged in progressing innovative research from academia to commercialization, today announced its intention to begin an initial financing round of up to $30 million.

Immunodominant also announced today that it is scheduling a Phase 2 clinical study after a pre-IND meeting with the FDA for LACTOVID, a novel, oral, over-the-counter drug for the prevention and treatment of adults with COVID-19, including long COVID.

LACTOVID is designed to be taken as one OTC product combining two compounds with direct antiviral activity against COVID-19 (through multiple mechanisms of action including binding to sigma receptors, binding to ACE2, blocking viral entry by neutralizing heparan sulphates, and by regulating inflammatory responses). Antiviral activity of LACTOVID has been observed in vitro (99% inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication) and in vivo (using ACE2 transgenic mice). The two active ingredients of LACTOVID have a long history of safety, with decades of clinical trials and human use as a generic OTC monograph drug and a dietary supplement classified as generally recognized as safe by the FDA.

"We are now at a point where we are seeking strategic partners that share our vision of combatting emerging threats and improving human health. We are enthusiastic to take this next step," said David Ostrov, PhD, Immunodominant's Founder and CEO; and member of the Global Virus Network's COVID-19 Taskforce. "LACTOVID will be more accessible as an OTC product as the safety profile of its two well-known compounds have fewer side-effects and dangerous drug interactions compared to newer drugs."

"We anticipate a successful Phase 2 study for our IND application," Dr. Ostrov continued. "Our in vitro research was confirmed in vivo with ACE2 transgenic mice, allowing us to estimate dosage levels in humans. Recent research also shows a positive benefit for COVID in patients using each of LACTOVID's individual ingredients. Based on known mechanisms of action, we expect LACTOVID to inhibit all coronaviruses, including all SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern."

"There is a large gap in the market for an OTC product for COVID," said Marcus Kirk, PhD, Immunodominant's CFO. "We are aiming to be broadly available in the U.S. and international markets as an OTC product with fewer drug interactions, and for both the prevention and treatment of COVID, including long COVID symptoms."

"We are delighted to reach a stage exploring a strategic collaboration and investment," continued Dr. Kirk. "We are now approaching the point when, for example, Atea Pharmaceuticals completed over $200 million in financing to start its Phase 2 study after the FDA cleared its IND application. We are seeking to raise up to $30 million to support the clinical development of LACTOVID including our upcoming Phase 2 study."

http://www.immunodominant.com