Austrian biotech company CEBINA GmbH on Wednesday reported positive results from its COVID-19 drug repurposing project with the identification of commonly used approved drugs with activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection in in vitro assays.

The results show that five generic drugs demonstrate anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity.

One of these drugs, antihistamine nasal spray Azelastine, has been identified as a potential topical preventive or post-exposure anti-COVID-19 approach. The other identified drugs are commonly used in anti-hypertensive therapy: Telmisartan, Metoprolol, Losartan and Amiloride.

CEBINA said that it has applied for patent protection for its findings and will publish the scientific data shortly. The company is also in discussion with pharma manufacturer Sigmapharm Arzneimittel GmbH for the development and production of an Azelastine product.

To accelerate access to this anti-COVID-19 approach with broad availability adequate for the global need, CEBINA is open to third party financing and will be seeking licensing partners for worldwide distribution.