AIkido Pharma (NASDAQ: AIKI) recently provided an update on its effort to identify compounds to potentially address the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the update, AIkido previously announced an executed a master license agreement with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (“UMB”), covering certain antiviral compounds discovered by UMB. Recently, UMB researchers have identified a human protein complex (called the “SKI” complex) that is important for replication of several viruses including Influenza, COVID-19, SARS1, MERS, SARS2, Ebola and Marburg. Utilizing information gleaned from initial research and the power of a computer modeling approach called SILCS, combined with machine learning tools, the researchers are currently identifying and testing compounds with chemical structures similar to the active compounds to find ones that are efficient at blocking virus replication. “This is encouraging progress, demonstrating the importance of machine learning to accelerate pharmaceutical research,” commented Anthony Hayes, CEO of AIkido. “Legacy processes, involving manually testing potentially thousands of compounds, are slower and potentially more expensive. Utilizing a combination of a physics-based approach and machine learning, our partners are able to significantly narrow the range of potential compounds to test, accelerating efforts and significantly reducing costs. The ultimate goal is to create a new compound that blocks replication of a wide variety of viruses in humans that will be an effective drug for the treatment of known viral infections as well as those that may arise in the future.”
To view the full press release, visit http://ibn.fm/Nrafw
About AIkido
AIkido was initially formed in 1967 and is a biotechnology company with a diverse portfolio of small-molecule anti-cancer therapeutics. The Company’s platform consists of patented technology from leading universities and researchers and AIkido is currently in the process of developing an innovative therapeutic drug platform through strong partnerships with world renowned educational institutions, including The University of Texas at Austin and Wake Forest University. Its diverse pipeline of therapeutics includes therapies for pancreatic cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (“AML”) and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (“ALL”). In addition, AIkido is constantly seeking to grow its pipeline to treat unmet medical needs in oncology. The Company is also developing a broad-spectrum antiviral platform that may potentially inhibit replication of multiple viruses including Influenza virus, SARS-CoV (coronavirus), MERS-CoV, Ebolavirus and Marburg virus. For more information about AIkido, visit www.AIkidoPharma.com.
About BioMedWire
BioMedWire (BMW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) BioMedNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, BMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. BMW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, BMW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. BMW is where news, content and information converge.
To receive SMS text alerts from BioMedWire, text “STOCKS” to 77948 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information please visit https://www.biomedwire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
BioMedWire (BMW)
San Francisco, California
www.biomedwire.com
415.949.5050 Office
Editor@BioMedWire.com
BioMedWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork
