Korean health authorities have approved a phase 1 study of Genexine’s investigational regimen to treat COVID-19 symptoms, bringing the number of potential pandemic-related treatments and vaccines in clinical development in the country to 15 in total.

The therapy named GX-I7 is a recombinant human interleukin-7, which was initially identified as an oncology drug candidate. It is being evaluated as a repositioning drug for COVID-19.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said last weekend that the safety of GX-I7 was demonstrated in a phase 1 oncology study in healthy volunteers and the latest clinical trial aims to get safety and interim efficacy data in patients with mild coronavirus symptoms.

GX-I7 has a mechanism of action to increase autoimmunity by proliferating immune cells (T cells) of a person infected with the virus and preventing progression to severe disease or supporting recovery. Overseas, a similar interleukin-7 option developed by a U.S. pharmaceutical company is undergoing a clinical trial.

The ministry said that it will promptly deliver information on the status of clinical trials of locally developed COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, given the high public interest.

By Chung Seul-gi and Minu Kim

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