CytoDyn Inc. ($CYDY) has definitively proven to be a major player in the search of a cure for COVID-19 in 2020. Companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector have been doing a lot of research and development since the outbreak of COVID-19. The pandemic is still topic of the day in most parts of the world, which continues to increase the demand for research and a cure or vaccin. Generally, most pharmaceutical and biotech companies spend about 20% of their revenues on R&D activities, which will be much higher in the coming periods. The fact that CytoDyn is benefiting from the pandemic can be seen when looking at the share price. With an YTD difference of 449%, the company has the second largest growth in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, only Novavax Inc. has noted a higher growth. At the end of November 2019, the share was worth $0.28 per share. This increased to a current value of $5.58 per share. At the end of June 2020, the stock price was close to $7, an incredible rise that demonstrates the level of confidence in the company’s work.
Why CytoDyn gets all the attention
The biotechnology company focuses on innovative treatments based on Leronlimab – simply put, this is a research drug under investigation to treat an HIV infection. Leronlimab belongs to a group of HIV drugs called CCR5 antagonists. Leronlimab prevents HIV from using the CCR5 receptor as a gateway to healthy cells. The CCR5 receptor has been identified as a target in HIV, GVHD, NASH, cancer, transplant medicine, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, stroke recovery and a variety of inflammatory conditions. In other words, it is a novel humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the CCR5 receptor.
CytoDyn has completed a Phase 3 core study with Leronlimab in combination with standard antiretroviral therapies in HIV-infected treatment-experienced patients. CytoDyn now plans to initiate a registration-based study of the monotherapy indication for Leronlimab. The reason for this study is to see if it can support the label extension. Clinical results have shown that Leronlimab can alleviate the (viral) burden in HIV patients. In addition, a Phase 2b clinical trial has shown that Leronlimab monotherapy can prevent viral escape in HIV patients. These are just a few of the recent findings of the past year that prove CytoDyn has made important and unique findings.
The relationship between Leronlimab and COVID-19
Due to the knowledge and experience gained over the years, the company decided to react quickly to the COVID-19 outbreak. CytoDyn is investigating the possible effect of Leronlimab on the virus. In recent months, interest in the Leronlimab has increased as more media have become aware of the possible effects on COVID-19. As a result, media channels such as GlobalData predict a worldwide peak sales of $747 million in 2026. Leronlimab has entered a phase III development for COVID-19, making it one of the most promising COVID-19 drugs in the development phase. Recently, a study showed that Leronlimab can reduce the viral load in plasma and help restore the immune system of COVID-19 patients. It was also found that patients with mild to moderate symptoms in most cases the side effects had subsided after one week. Only the Remdesivir appears to be one step ahead, as it may be transfused to COVID-19 patients in critical condition. CytoDyn therefore knows a strong position in the biotechnology sector with their COVID-19 research.
The mission of CytoDyn
It will continue to work intensively on applying Leronlimab to immune disorders. The mechanism of action of Leronlimab has proven to be important in stopping the cytokine storm and restoring immune function and is applicable to various disease processes. CytoDyn will help patients by continuing to investigate this process and establishing the potential and potential of Leronlimab.
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