Not directly SBIR involved in many years, Chimerix has been in receipt of various other forms of NIH funding totaling over $30M+. A development-stage biopharmaceutical --- SBIR involved at the time of founding -- is structured around accelerating the advancement of various medicines that impact in the lives of patients living with cancer and other serious diseases. The firm's two clinical-stage development programs are DSTAT and BCV. Dociparstat sodium is a potential first-in-class glycosaminoglycan compound derived from porcine heparin that may be dosed at much higher levels without triggering bleeding complications. In vitro and in vivo animal model data support DSTATâs potential to reduce the inflammation and cellular infiltration associated with ALI and address coagulation disorders associated with COVID-19 pathology of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and platelet factor 4 (PF4). Separately, DSTAT inhibits the activities of several key proteins implicated in the viability of AML blasts and leukemic stem cells in the bone marrow during chemotherapy (e.g., CXCL12, selectins, HMGB1, elastase). Randomized AML Phase 2 data suggest that DSTAT may also accelerate platelet recovery post-chemotherapy via inhibition of PF4, a negative regulator of platelet production that impairs platelet recovery following chemotherapy. The company is conducting a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 2/3 trial to determine the safety and efficacy of DSTAT in adults with severe COVID-19 who are at high risk of respiratory failure. The Phase 2 portion of the study will enroll 24 subjects to confirm the maximum safe dose and will then expand by an additional 50 patients (74 total) at the selected dose. A formal analysis of all endpoints, including supportive biomarkers will be performed at the conclusion of the Phase 2 portion of the study. Contingent upon positive results, the Phase 3 portion of the study will enroll approximately 450 subjects . BCV is an antiviral drug candidate in development as a medical countermeasure for smallpox. For further information, please visit the Chimerix website, www.chimerix.com.
