Cocrystal Pharma’s SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors Demonstrate Pan-viral Activity against Human Common Coronaviruses, Noroviruses, Rhinoviruses, and Enteroviruses

BOTHELL, Wash., Nov. 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: COCP) (“Cocrystal” or the “Company”) announces that its SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors showed potent in vitro pan-viral activity against human common coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, and respiratory enteroviruses that frequently cause the common cold, as well as against noroviruses that can cause symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. These protease inhibitors were discovered using the company’s proprietary structure-based drug discovery technology and are currently being advanced by Cocrystal toward clinical development to combat SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.

“It is exciting and compelling to see the pan-viral activity of our SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors against these clinically important viruses that cause illness among millions of people worldwide each year,” said Sam Lee, Ph.D., Cocrystal’s President and interim co-CEO. “As we have observed the importance of repurposed broad-spectrum antiviral drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is extremely important to design and rapidly develop new drug candidates as potent and safe pan-antivirals. This could be a gamechanger for antiviral drug discovery paradigms and treatments.

“Our current focus is on advancing these SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitors toward clinical development as a potential oral treatment for patients with COVID-19,” he added. “We now have additional opportunities with these same protease inhibitors for future programs that target other areas of high unmet medical need.”

About Human Common Coronaviruses
Common human coronaviruses, not to be confused with SARS-CoV-2, usually cause mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract illnesses, like the common cold. Most people become infected with one or more of these viruses at some point in their lives. In the U.S., people usually become infected with common human coronaviruses in the fall and winter although these people can become infected any time of the year. Young children are most likely to get infected and people can have multiple infections in their lifetime. For further information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/types.html

About Human Rhinoviruses and Respiratory Enteroviruses
Human rhinoviruses are responsible for more than one-half of cold-like illnesses and cost billions of dollars annually in direct medical care and missed days of work. Along with respiratory enteroviruses, rhinoviruses are the leading cause of upper respiratory tract infections and are among the most frequent infectious agents that affect humans worldwide. However, the lack of efficient antiviral treatments or vaccines against these highly prevalent and contagious pathogens prevents effective management of related diseases. For more information, please visit: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4728576/

About Human Noroviruses
Noroviruses are global public health problem and the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea from acute gastroenteritis among people of all ages in the U.S. and a Noroviruses are notorious for their common occurrence in hospitals, nursing homes, childcare facilities, schools, and cruise ships. In the U.S. alone, the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that noroviruses to cause up to 21 million illnesses, contribute to more than 100,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths, and are responsible for nearly 1 million pediatric medical care visits annually. For more information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/trends-outbreaks/burden-US.html

About Cocrystal Pharma, Inc.
Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing novel antiviral therapeutics that target the replication process of coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2), influenza viruses, hepatitis C virus, and noroviruses. Cocrystal employs unique structure-based technologies and Nobel Prize-winning expertise to create first- and best-in-class antiviral drugs. For further information about Cocrystal, please visit www.cocrystalpharma.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the potential of the company’s main protease inhibitors as a COVID-19 oral treatment and the potential to treat other viruses. The words "believe," "may," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "should," "plan," "could," "target," "potential," "is likely," "will," "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events. Some or all of the events anticipated by these forward-looking statements may not occur. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties arising from the delays in furthering research due to the supply chain impact including manufacturing and research delays arising from raw material and test animal shortages and other supply chain disruptions, potential delays related to the FDA’s review of our submissions, receipt of regulatory approvals, the results of any future clinical trials, general risks arising from clinical trials, regulatory changes, and development of effective treatments and/or vaccines by competitors, including as part of the programs financed by the U.S. government. Further information on our risk factors is contained in our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Investor Contact:
LHA Investor Relations
Jody Cain
310-691-7100
jcain@lhai.com

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