Applied Biology to Launch COVID-19 Drug Discovery Platform based on Breakthrough Discovery Made in Collaboration with Brown University Researchers

Drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 are in desperate need world-wide. A rapid drug discovery platform that can help identify drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 is essential for identifying viable treatments.

IRVINE, Calif., April 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 are in desperate need world-wide. A rapid drug discovery platform that can help identify drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 is essential for identifying viable treatments.

Based on a joint research effort, Applied Biology and Brown University researchers concluded that the androgen receptor may be implicated in COVID-19 mortality risk; therefore, human type II pneumocytes androgen sensitivity should be tested as a potential treatment marker. The team led by Carlos G. Wambier, MD, PhD Director of Cosmetic Research at the Department of Dermatology of the Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Andy Goren, MD Chief Medical Officer at Applied Biology and Medical Advisor to the Department of Dermatology of the Alpert Medical School of Brown University along with a team of collaborators from other institutions submitted their discovery to publication in the medical journal Dermatologic Therapy (DOI: 10.1111/dth.13365).

According to Dr. Wambier: “We believe that androgens are required for the expression of the serine protease TMPRSS2. This proteolytic priming of the spikes of the coronavirus is the first step required for binding to the ACE2 receptor in cells. Male hormones might also affect ACE2 receptor expression in lung cells. To the best of our knowledge these are required for the novel coronavirus to infect humans.” Further, according to Dr. Goren: “Testing androgen sensitivity along with ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression provides a rapid method to assess the effectiveness of drug candidates in inhibiting the cellular entry of COVID-19.”

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ABOUT APPLIED BIOLOGY
Founded in 2002, Applied Biology, Inc. (www.appliedbiology.com), headquartered in Irvine, California, is a biotechnology company specializing in hair and skin science. Applied Biology develops breakthrough drugs and medical devices for the treatment of androgen mediated dermatological conditions. Applied Biology’s R&D pipeline includes a topically applied prophylactic treatment for chemotherapy induced alopecia; a novel diagnostic device that can aid dermatologists in identifying non-responders to topical minoxidil; an adjuvant therapy for non-responders to topical minoxidil; and a novel therapy for female pattern hair loss.

Contact:
Monica Naegle
(949) 387-4526
press@appliedbiology.com
www.appliedbiology.com

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SOURCE Applied Biology, Inc.

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