Proteostasis Therapeutics Inc (Nasdaq:PTI), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, has revealed results from in vitro studies assessing the use of PTI-129 intended for the treatment of COVID-19, it was reported on Monday.

The product is a pre-clinical, once-daily, oral small molecule originally aimed at treating protein misfolding disorders involving the unfolded protein response (UPR). In in vitro studies conducted at Calibr, the drug discovery division of Scripps Research, PTI-129 demonstrated the potential to reduce viral protein production in host cells by activating the adaptive branches of the UPR pathway and reducing the levels of misfolded proteins.

Meenu Chhabra, president and CEO of Proteostasis, said, 'The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is a public health crisis that demands the investigation of all possible avenues of resolution. We are exploring ways to further our understanding of PTI-129's potential in fighting COVID-19, and are seeking support from governmental agencies to accelerate this program.'