February 4, 2021 -- Angiotensin Therapeutics has published a novel COVID-19 therapeutic approach with soluble angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) variants.
The company is pursing therapeutic applications of its ACE2 enzyme variants, which have been demonstrated in vitro to intercept SARS-CoV-2.
The patented proteins were developed in the lab of Daniel Batlle, PhD, at Northwestern Feinberg University School of Medicine. The goal of the proteins is to intercept the coronavirus before it gets to the natural receptor in cell membranes.
The study showed that in human kidney organoids, infection by SARS-CoV-2 can be neutralized by the novel ACE2 protein. The company states that the proof-of-concept study provides evidence that the modified ACE2 protein will be efficacious to prevent and treat COVID-19 infection in humans.
The company plans on conducting preinvestigational new drug safety studies, which are required for clinical trials in patients with COVID-19.
The product is also being developed for the treatment of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease.