We need both vaccines and therapeutics as not everyone will be immunized effectively against SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19
The search for a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine continues to be of high priority. However, there are several aspects of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses, such as the seasonal flu, which a vaccine cannot fully address. These include long lasting effects to the lungs, heart, and other organs caused by inflammation and high viral load, even in individuals who are asymptomatic.
Let’s look at the seasonal flu for a moment. The flu vaccine is a preventative measure (1) that has saved many lives, and should be received every year. With that said, for the 2019-2020 flu season, only 53% of Americans (2) were vaccinated. On top of that, the vaccine was only 44% effective (3), meaning approximately 23% of the American population was protected. Finally, the vaccine is only effective for 6-9 months.
Because vaccines are not 100% effective, an outbreak like COVID-19, which has already killed over 220,000 US citizens within 9 months, requires other treatment options. Attacking the virus from multiple directions is critically important.
ENDECE developed NDC-1308, a novel therapeutic for COVID-19 designed to reduce inflammation in the lungs as well as the number of ACE2 receptors in the pulmonary system, reducing the viral load. By reducing pulmonary inflammation and viral load, as well as preventing cytokine storm due to viral infections like SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19, NDC-1308 should reduce long term effects, keep people off ventilators, and even prevent death.
