MGC Pharmaceuticals Ltd (LSE:MXC, OTC:MGCLF, ASX:MXC) said a recently completed lab-based evaluation of lead asset CimetrA has demonstrated the treatment's potential efficacy in an array of inflammatory diseases – and not just Covid.
The assessment, conducted at the GLP-Certified Science in Action Lab in Ness Ziona, Israel, found the plant-based drug inhibits mRNA expression and secretion of IL-32 proteins, leading to the suppression of inflammation and inflammatory cytokines.
It also showed that CimetrA increases intracellular HO-1 antioxidant activity in cells, protecting against oxidative stress.
The findings indicate that it has the potential to be extended beyond Covid treatment to the entire anti-inflammatory market, MGC said.
Importantly, the data will enable the company to expand the trials in future to show its efficacy against further indications.
Indeed, the results will form part of the US Food and Drug Administration's application to register CimetrA as an investigational new drug.
MGC managing director Roby Zomer said it means its asset can become “more than just seasonal hype treatment but as long-term treatment offering".
"The data from this study provides critical confirmation in the pathway to drug development and means that we can further target the specific biological functions in our formulation,” he added in a statement.
CimetrA is a natural phyto medicine based on curcumin and Boswellia serrata and has shown effectiveness in stopping cytokine storms in Covid patients.