Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., South Korea (through its subsidiary, Daewoong Pharmaceutical India Pvt. Ltd.) and New Delhi based Mankind Pharma, fastest-growing Indian Pharmaceutical Company, have collaborated for conducting Phase I clinical trial of a long-acting intramuscular formulation of Niclosamide.

The trial is designed towards addressing the need for a science-based investigation on this new formulation “Niclosamide (DWRX2003)” based on encouraging preclinical evidence for the treatment of COVID-19.

Niclosamide (DWRX2003) is already in clinical use as an anthelmintic; however, the current formulation is expected to be a long-acting variant for this alternate clinical indication.

It is also expected to circumvent the downside of oral administration. In vitro, Niclosamide (DWRX2003) was found to be 40, 26 & 15 times more potent than Remdesivir, Chloroquine & Ciclesonide respectively for its anti-viral action against SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Also, the injectable intramuscular (IM) formulation of Niclosamide successfully removed the virus from lungs in animal tests, thereby countering viral infection, besides preventing cytokine storm which is the major cause of mortality in moderate to severe cases of COVID-19.

Through intensive motivated research, Daewoong researchers worked on quick development of the formulation to have reached the stage of “First-in-Human” evaluation, successful completion of which would immensely facilitate COVID-19 disease treatment.