Sathgen Therapeutics completes dosing of first two cohorts of healthy volunteers with MSP008-22, a novel anti-viral molecule

New Delhi: Sathgen Therapeutics, a division of a chemical conglomerate in India – Godavari Biorefineries Limited (GBL), has completed the dosing of the first two cohorts of healthy volunteers in a Phase 1 clinical trial with their novel chemical entity (NCE), MSP008-22.

The clinical development of this drug is supported and managed by Clinexel Life Sciences, a leading clinical research organisation in the pharmaceutical sector. The clinical trial is headed by Dr Shrinath Kshirsagar and his able Clinical Trials & Research Unit Team.

Sathgen is a clinical-stage novel therapeutics venture focused on bringing therapies for difficult-to-treat diseases like cancer and viral infections. Their goal is to bring this drug, MSP008-22, as a solution to a range of viral infections.

Developed under the leadership of Dr. Sangeeta Srivastava, Executive Director, GBL, and CSO, Sathgen Therapeutics, the lead molecule has shown outstanding effectiveness and safety against COVID-19 in preclinical development. This NCE has widespread anti-viral potential due to its ability to inhibit both viral entrance and replication.

Professor Sendurai Mani, Associate Director (TO), Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University and Scientific Co-Founder, Sathgen Therapeutics stated, “Viral diseases present limited treatment options and can lead to life-altering pandemics. MSP008-22 has the potential to address this unmet critical clinical need to treat numerous diseases caused by viruses.”

Samir Somaiya, Chairman and MD, GBL and Executive Co-Founder, Sathgen Therapeutics highlighted the company’s commitment to research and its goal in discovering therapies for viral infections. He expressed, “Our lead program, MSP008-22, progressing through clinical testing for the drug’s safety profile will mark an important milestone in our efforts to help patients with viral diseases.”

Professor Prashant S. Kharkar, Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), and Consultant, Sathgen Therapeutics emphasized the urgency of finding effective drugs against present and emerging viral infections. He said, “MSP008-22 is a promising drug candidate with great potential to combat viral diseases and associated pandemics. Its excellent efficacy and safety profile make us highly enthusiastic about its prospects.”

Dr. Deepa Arora, CEO, Clinexel expressed optimism about the Phase 1 study (NCT05532293) results of MSP008-22 in healthy volunteers. She stated, “The successful completion of the first cohort without any serious adverse events indicates the drug’s non-toxic and safe nature. This trial will pave the way for further development efforts to combat the viruses that afflict the world today.”