NDC-1308 may reduce the number of individuals requiring hospitalization and time on ventilators due to SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19.

ENDECE designed NDC-1308 to reduce the ability of SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 to replicate within the pulmonary system, and reduce inflammation. NDC-1308 targets the genes responsible for lipoprotein lipase (LPL) production within the lungs, polarizing macrophages from the M1 state (pro-inflammatory, anti-repair), to the M2 state (anti-inflammatory, pro-repair, antiviral).
 

• M1 phenotype macrophages have a significant number ACE2 receptors which allows SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 to infect and replicate within the macrophage

 

• M2 macrophages have 2 to 3 times fewer ACE2 receptors compared to M1 macrophages. NDC-1308 has the potential to significantly reduce viral load

SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that is easily spread, causing the current COVID-19 respiratory disease. Once infected, SARS-CoV-2 travels through the respiratory tract into the lungs where cytokines are released, attracting macrophages to the region and triggering an attack on the virus. This immune system response to SARS-CoV-2 causes the lungs and airways to become inflamed due to M1 macrophages (pro-inflammatory, anti-repair).

As the inflammation becomes worse, the lungs can fill with fluid and mucus, making it harder for the body to take in oxygen. This can lead to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). With COVID-19, patients placed on mechanical ventilators have an 88% mortality rate.

NDC-1308 works at the gene level and produces active Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL), which polarize these M1 macrophages to the M2 state (anti-inflammatory, pro-repair). By reducing lung inflammation, NDC-1308 is a therapeutic designed to minimize the acute severe respiratory response, and significantly reduce or even prevent time on ventilators while allowing the body’s natural immune system to fight the attacking virus.

SARS-CoV-2 is not the first coronavirus and won’t be the last. However, there is one underlying condition that all SARS-CoV affects, and that is the pulmonary system. Once contracted, SARS-CoV follows the respiratory tract into the lungs, where chronic inflammation can cause Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

Because the NDC-1308 approach is agnostic to the type of pulmonary infection, we should be able to treat lung inflammation regardless of future infections.