Paris, 02 September 2020, 8.15pm

New independent research reveals that masitinib has direct anti-viral activity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in vitro and is a promising candidate for treating COVID-19

AB Science SA (NYSE Euronext - FR0010557264 - AB) today announced the publication of preclinical study results with masitinib in COVID-19. Research led by scientists from the University of Chicago has been posted on the bioRxiv preprint service as an article entitled, Drug repurposing screen identifies masitinib as a 3CLpro inhibitor that blocks replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. The article [1] is freely accessible online from the bioRxiv site https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.08.31.274639v1

This article reports results of an independent study led by Professor Savas Tay from the Pritzker School for Molecular Engineering (University of Chicago, USA). Starting from a library of 1,900 clinically used drugs, either approved for human use or in late stage clinical development, masitinib stood-out in its ability to completely inhibit activity of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CLpro), thereby blocking viral replication. Remarkably, the research team elucidated masitinibs mechanism of action against SARS-CoV-2, showing that masitinib inhibits 3CLpro, SARS-CoV-2 protease that is crucial for virus infection and reproduction, by directly binding to the protease catalytic site.

This research has shown for the first time that masitinib exerts a direct anti-viral effect on the SARS-CoV-2 virus, under in vitro conditions. Considering these data in conjunction with masitinibs possible action against life-threatening complications arising from COVID-19 related cytokine storm, suggests that it could be an effective treatment of COVID-19. As such, the clinical development program of masitinib in COVID-19, which includes to date one ongoing phase 2 study, is given a new impetus to determine masitinibs potential to treat COVID-19, said Dr Nir Drayman, senior researcher at the Pritzker School for Molecular Engineering (University of Chicago) and one of the articles principal authors.

Masitinibs dual anti-viral and anti-inflammatory action is a highly attractive approach for combatting severe COVID-19 infections and is one that sets this compound apart from the majority of other drugs currently under development to treat COVID-19, said Professor Savas Tay, principal investigator of the study and author of the article (Pritzker School for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago).

These data identify a novel mechanism of action by which masitinib could exert an anti-viral effect against viral diseases by targeting virus protease. In particular, results provide a new compelling biological rationale for the use of masitinib in the treatment of COVID-19. Positive results from masitinibs development in severe uncontrolled asthma also provide a good indication that masitinib could be beneficial in the treatment of respiratory disorders such as COVID-19. Taken together, these data highlight the importance of conducting clinical studies with masitinib in COVID-19, commented Olivier Hermine (President of the Scientific Committee of AB Science and member of the Acadmie des Sciences in France).

Masitinib recently received authorization by the French Medicine Agency (ANSM) to initiate a Phase 2 study evaluating masitinib in combination with isoquercetin for the treatment of COVID-19 [2]. This study (AB20001) is a randomized (1:1), open-label Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of masitinib combined with isoquercetin in hospitalized patients with moderate and severe COVID-19. The study will enroll 200 patients (age 18 without an upper age limit) at medical centers in France and other countries. The primary objective is to improve the clinical status of patients after 15 days of treatment.

[1] Drayman N, Jones KA, Azizi S-A, et al. Drug repurposing screen identifies masitinib as a 3CLpro inhibitor that blocks replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. bioRxiv 2020.08.31.274639; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.08.31.274639

[2] AB Science press release. May 06,2020. http://www.ab-science.com/years/2020/

About bioRxivbioRxiv (pronounced "bio-archive") is a free online archive and distribution service for unpublished preprints in the life sciences. It is operated by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, a not-for-profit research and educational institution. By posting preprints on bioRxiv, authors are able to make their findings immediately available to the scientific community and receive feedback on draft manuscripts before they are submitted to journals.

About masitinibMasitinib is a new orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets mast cells and macrophages, important cells for immunity, through inhibiting a limited number of kinases. Based on its unique mechanism of action, masitinib can be developed in a large number of conditions in oncology, in inflammatory diseases, and in certain diseases of the central nervous system. In oncology due to its immunotherapy effect, masitinib can have an effect on survival, alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Through its activity on mast cells and microglia and consequently the inhibition of the activation of the inflammatory process, masitinib can have an effect on the symptoms associated with some inflammatory and central nervous system diseases and the degeneration of these diseases.

About AB ScienceFounded in 2001, AB Science is a pharmaceutical company specializing in the research, development and commercialization of protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs), a class of targeted proteins whose action are key in signaling pathways within cells. Our programs target only diseases with high unmet medical needs, often lethal with short term survival or rare or refractory to previous line of treatment. AB Science has developed a proprietary portfolio of molecules and the Companys lead compound, masitinib, has already been registered for veterinary medicine and is developed in human medicine in oncology, neurological diseases, and inflammatory diseases. The company is headquartered in Paris, France, and listed on Euronext Paris (ticker: AB).

Further information is available on AB Sciences website: http://www.ab-science.com.

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AB Science: New independent research reveals that masitinib has direct anti-viral activity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus in vitro and is a promising...