Anivive seeks to use feline drug to treat COVID-19 in humans

Anivive Lifesciences, a veterinary drug developer, is repurposing a medication for cats as a potential treatment for COVID-19 in humans.

The company filed a pre-Investigational New Drug request with the FDA for GC376, which is used to treat feline infectious peritonitis. This infection, caused by a coronavirus, is the leading cause of death in kittens and young cats, according to the announcement.

“Published data shows that GC376 demonstrates in vitro and in vivo activity against many animal and human coronaviruses including SARS, MERS and most recently SARS-CoV-2,” the virus that causes COVID-19, said Anivive’s chief medical officer, David Bruyette.

The FDA will guide Anivive on the proposed clinical study protocol. The company then plans to submit an Investigational New Drug request for GC376 to be evaluated as a potential addition to the current standard of care treatment for COVID-19, according to Anivive. The company said it’s committed to developing the drug for veterinary patients, but “given the current pandemic and scarcity of effective therapies, [Anivive] is also exploring the use of GC376 in humans to help combat COVID-19.”

“We look forward to our discussions with the FDA and advancing toward a clinical trial,” said Anivive CEO and founder Dylan Balsz. “Our research over the past few months and our experience with GC376 support the exploration of the drug as an adjunct therapy to standard of care for COVID-19 patients or for patients where standard of care may be contraindicated.”