NY-APTORUM-GROUP-LIMITED
30.3.2020 14:02:14 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
Aptorum Group Limited (Nasdaq: APM) ("Aptorum Group"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel therapeutics for unmet needs including but not limited to infectious, orphan and metabolic disease areas, today announced that it is initiating an additional research and development project targeting the coronavirus group and has completed initial screening under the Smart-ACT™ platform, a repurposed and new drug discovery platform, to select, out of more than 2,600 approved small drug molecules, at least 3 potential candidates for further preclinical investigation against the new coronavirus disease, COVID-19. Aptorum Group is collaborating with Toronto based Covar Pharmaceuticals and has also entered into agreement with the University of Hong Kong’s Microbiology Department to conduct further preclinical investigation of the selected candidates prior to seeking approval from regulatory agencies to initiate clinical trials on suitable candidates.
In particular, Aptorum Group will focus on investigation of at least three small molecule drugs (collectively “SACT-COV19”), that have shown potential interference against two enzyme targets, namely, 3CL-Protease and RNA dependent RNA Polymerase (“RDRP”), with both playing pivotal roles in COVID-19’s replication cycle. Specifically, 3CL-Protease is believed to mediate viral replication and transcription functions through extensive proteolytic processing, while RDRP is an enzyme that is believed to catalyze the replication of viral RNA from its RNA template. These selected candidates will undergo further preclinical assessment on efficacy against COVID-19. Aptorum Group has filed patent applications on the above candidates.
For the ongoing investigation and preclinical work, Aptorum Group is collaborating with Toronto based Covar Pharmaceuticals and also Aptorum Group has contracted with the University of Hong Kong to conduct this work. Covar Pharmaceutical’s team (comprised of professionals previously from Patheon and Glaxo Wellcome)1 is highly experienced in drug discovery and development supported by its GMP manufacturing facility. The University of Hong Kong’s Microbiology team was instrumental in the discovery of SARS virus during the 2003 epidemic2 , as well as currently being actively involved, in their own respective research interests, in developing vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus3 and COVID-19 related monitoring physical device with other third parties4 .
Aptorum Group will also seek additional collaborators globally for driving its development of SACT-COV19 initiatives forward and welcomes interested parties to contact us to discuss collaboration opportunities.
Aptorum Group, as part of its existing pipeline, is also developing a number of infectious disease indications under its Acticule platform, including, but not limited to, a unique antiviral small molecule candidate (ALS-1) against Influenza virus and also, as its lead program, an anti-virulent, non-bactericidal small molecule candidate (ALS-4) against Staphylococcus aureus infections, amongst other projects, for which Covar Pharmaceuticals is also currently supporting its development in North America.
Mr. Ian Huen, Chief Executive Officer of Aptorum Group said, “COVID-19 disease is highly contagious and has spread across the world causing significant disruptions and casualties in the process. The confirmed cases globally have exceeded 700,000 as of today’s date5 and the World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 as a pandemic. Despite a growing number of both established and early stage pharmaceutical companies rushing to develop vaccine based therapies for COVID-19, we believe there is a need to tackle this disease multi-dimensionally and urgently. In order to accelerate development, our aim is to identify candidates from already approved drugs, that have established safety, toxicity and pharmacokinetic clinical profiles, to be repurposed for treatment of COVID-19. In addition, due to the ongoing mutation and evolution of this coronavirus, we cannot rule out that there may be further strains of this coronavirus emerging in the near future and therefore, the world must be prepared to deal with such challenges swiftly and collectively in order to minimize casualties and economic loss. We believe that Aptorum Group’s Smart-ACT™ platform in conjunction with our existing Acticule infectious disease development capabilities and as supported by Covar Pharmaceuticals, is well-positioned to develop potential solutions and to deliver our share of contribution to the world on this disease as well as others.”
About Smart-ACT™ Platform
The Smart-ACT™ platform is a proprietary systematic process combining both computational approach and wet laboratory validation under which Aptorum Group constantly screens over 2,600 approved small molecule drugs in order to identify candidates that can be repurposed for selected orphan or unmet diseases. The overall strategic aim is to significantly shorten R&D costs and the timeline to effectively deliver patentable repurposed drug candidates into clinical trials and efficiently achieve eventual market commercialization.
About Aptorum Group Limited
Aptorum Group Limited (Nasdaq: APM) is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing and commercializing novel therapeutics to tackle unmet medical needs. Aptorum Group's current drug pipeline include indications in orphan diseases, infectious diseases and metabolic diseases and a number of which are targeted to enter clinical trial phases in 2020. Aptorum Group’s Dioscorea Opposita Bioactive Nutraceutical Tablets, which is a dietary supplement for women’s health during menopause and post-menopause cycles, are currently being commercialized.
For more information about Aptorum Group, please visit www.aptorumgroup.com .
Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes statements concerning Aptorum Group Limited and its future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "target," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Aptorum Group has based these forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding projected timelines for application submissions and trials, largely on its current expectations and projections about future events and trends that it believes may affect its business, financial condition and results of operations. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, without limitation, risks related to its announced management and organizational changes, the continued service and availability of key personnel, its ability to expand its product assortments by offering additional products for additional consumer segments, development results, the company’s anticipated growth strategies, anticipated trends and challenges in its business, and its expectations regarding, and the stability of, its supply chain, and the risks more fully described in Aptorum Group’s Form 20-F and other filings that Aptorum Group may make with the SEC in the future. As a result, the projections included in such forward-looking statements are subject to change. Aptorum Group assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
1 https://www.covarpharma.com/
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3747526/
3 https://fightcovid19.hku.hk/tag/vaccine/
5 https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200330005263/en/
Link:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
AI Can Design the Slides, But It Can’t Fix Stage Fright: 3 in 4 Workers Get Anxious Presenting, Canva Study Finds8.9.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
When AI can build the slides, what sets the presenter apart? Canva's new global study, The Presentation Paradox, finds it comes down to one thing: how you command the room.91% use AI to build and draft presentation slides each month74% feel anxious presenting at work, with Gen Z most affected (90%)68% link strong presentation skills to a recent pay rise or promotion53% currently use AI as a presentation coach55% would let an AI avatar present for them86% say great presentations come down to human connection New research from Canva, the world’s leading visual communication platform, reveals an emerging paradox at the heart of one of work’s age-old skills: even as AI makes presentations easier to create than ever, nearly three in four professionals (74%) still feel anxious about presenting. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260908549712/en/ Canva's Global 'The Presentation Paradox' Study Few things are as entrench
PAX Debuts The Oxblood Edit, a Limited Edition Collection Inspired by Fall’s Richest Color8.9.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
PAX FOUR, MINI and ERA GO arrive in a deep oxblood finish, bringing timeless style, seasonal color, and elevated design to three of the brand’s signature devices Today PAX, a pioneering global cannabis brand, introduces The Oxblood Edit, an ultra-limited release bringing one of fall’s defining colors to three of the brand’s signature devices: PAX FOUR, PAX MINI and ERA GO. Deep, distinctive and designed to be coveted, Oxblood transforms the PAX lineup through a rich burgundy finish inspired by the worlds of fashion, interiors and industrial design. The limited collection is available beginning today at pax.com and select retailers, while supplies last. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260908330141/en/ The Oxblood Edit: bringing timeless style, seasonal color, and elevated design to three of the brand's signature devices. Long associated with craftsmanship and enduring style, oxblood has reemerged across fashion
STARTEEPO Issues Letter and Presentation to the Board of Xerox Calling for Action to Unlock Shareholder Value8.9.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
Urges Strategic Review of Xerox Financial Services, Including Exploring Potential Sale of All or Part of the Business UnitBelieves XFS Business Could Be Worth $7.69 Per Share -- More than Double Xerox’s Current Share PriceAsserts Investors Will Be Better Able to Value XFS Through Increased Transparency STARTEEPO SICAV a.s. (“STARTEEPO”) today issued an investor presentation and the following letter to the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Xerox Holdings Corporation (“Xerox” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: XRX). STARTEEPO, which has increased its investment in Xerox to a beneficial ownership of 7.34%, in stocks and options, is urging the Board to take bold actions to unlock significant shareholder value, including by increasing transparency about Xerox Financial Services’ performance, evaluating strategic alternatives for the business unit, deleveraging the Company, and exercising continued capital discipline. Shareholders can view the investor presentation here. For more information visit
Leblon Delienne Joins LEXON at BOW to Expand Its Global Reach8.9.2026 14:36:00 CEST | Press release
The French sculpture atelier extends the group’s expertise from everyday design to collectible art BOW (Brands of Wonder), the international brand group behind French design brand LEXON, today announced the acquisition of Leblon Delienne, the French sculpture atelier known for transforming pop culture icons into collectible art and design objects. The move pairs the atelier’s distinctive French craftsmanship and licensed collections with BOW’s international reach and digital expertise. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260908641342/en/ Leblon Delienne Joins LEXON at BOW Juliette de Blegiers, who acquired the company in 2018, will remain a minority shareholder in Leblon Delienne and continue working alongside BOW founder Boris Brault and the atelier’s teams. For more than 40 years, Leblon Delienne has brought iconic characters to life through sculptures, figurines, furniture, and art and design objects, primarily
Visa Brings Onchain Lending into Everyday Payments8.9.2026 14:00:00 CEST | Press release
By combining VisaNet settlement data with blockchain lending, Visa is helping its partners unlock new financing opportunities for stablecoin-linked card programs. Today, Visa (NYSE: V) announced a new approach to onchain credit designed to help stablecoin-linked card programs and fintechs access working capital using onchain lending infrastructure and Visa data. Onchain lending has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of digital finance. According to the Visa Onchain Analytics Dashboard, since 2020, more than $694 billion in stablecoin-denominated loans have been sent through onchain lending protocols, creating a global credit market that operates 24/7. Yet much of that activity remains concentrated within crypto markets and hasn’t meaningfully supported the businesses and payment experiences people use every day. Visa is helping bridge that gap by combining VisaNet settlement data with onchain credit infrastructure. This information can help lenders better understand how a p
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom