14 July 2020 - - Initial testing in cell culture shows that Arakoda (tafenoquine) is active against SARS-CoV-2 at clinically relevant concentrations, US-based pharmaceutical company 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, LLC said.

60P collaborated with Biointelect, 360 Biolabs, Biocelect, and Certara to conduct testing on tafenoquine.

In vitro testing and modeling and simulation with Certara's Simcyp Simulator demonstrate that tafenoquine shows antiviral activity at concentrations that are pharmacologically relevant and may be achievable in lung tissue.

In vitro testing in Vero E6 cells shows that tafenoquine seems to interfere with infectious virus replication and reduce the yield of progeny virus.

Tafenoquine [an 8-aminoquinoline] also appears to exhibit greater potency and a different mode of action than hydroxychloroquine [a 4-aminoquinoline], which is consistent with known differences in structure and modes of action against other organisms.

Analysis and results are available in a preprint manuscript on bioRxiv, which is not yet peer reviewed.

60P intends to conduct further preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate the clinical relevance of these findings and is seeking financing and research partners in pursuit of this objective.

Tafenoquine was originally discovered by Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. It was approved for malaria prophylaxis in 2018 in the United States as Arakoda and Australia as Kodatef.

Both were commercially launched in 2019 and currently distributed through pharmaceutical wholesaler networks in each respective country.

They are available at retail pharmacies as a prescription-only malaria prevention drug.

According to the CDC, the long terminal half-life of tafenoquine may offer potential advantages in less-frequent dosing for prophylaxis for malaria. At approved doses in healthy individuals, tafenoquine does not prolong cardiac repolarization [QTC interval].

Arakoda [tafenoquine] has not been evaluated in COVID-19 patients, and no tafenoquine-containing product is FDA-approved to treat or prevent COVID-19. Testing for G6PD (Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency) is mandatory before prescribing Arakoda and Kodatef.

Arakoda is not suitable for everyone, and patients and prescribers should review the Important Safety Information below.

60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals, founded in 2010, focuses on developing new medicines for treatment and prevention of tropical diseases, including malaria and dengue. 60P's mission is supported through in-kind funding from the US Department of Defense.

The company also collaborates with prominent research organisations in the US and Australia. 60P is headquartered in Washington DC, with a subsidiary in Australia.

Biocelect, founded in 2014, is actively involved in the sourcing, in-licencing and commercialization of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and in-vitro diagnostics that will meet the unmet medical needs of patients in Australia and the region.

Biocelect combined with its companion company Biointelect has an experienced team that provides a range of partnering solutions to local and international companies looking to launch their products in Australia and the region.