Catalent has signed an agreement with ViralClear Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of BioSig Technologies, to work on the development of a potential treatment for adults with advanced COVID-19. Catalent will be developing two oral dosage forms of ViralClear’s broad-spectrum anti-viral agent, merimepodib: a solution and a solid oral dosage form.

ViralClear is undertaking research to investigate the potential of Merimepodib to fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus, either as a standalone treatment, or in combination with other anti-viral agents or immune modulators.

“We are pleased to be working with Catalent that has already manufactured clinical trial materials of our merimepodib oral solution for the current Phase 2 clinical trial and is performing further product development on liquid-filled oral formulations,” said Steve King, chief operating officer, ViralClear. “ViralClear is committed to using US-based contract development and manufacturing organizations for the development and commercialization of merimepodib.”

Catalent will work on the program at its St. Petersburg, Florida, facility, manufacturing oral solution for clinical studies, as well as undertaking feasibility studies on other liquid-filled oral formulations.

“Finding treatments for the pandemic we are faced with is a global priority, and, as a world leader in softgel development and manufacturing, Catalent is ideally suited to work on this program with ViralClear,” said Aris Gennadios, president, softgel and oral technologies, Catalent. “Our expertise and more than 85 years of experience in lipid-based formulation will facilitate rapid clinical manufacturing and provide drug product that can be tested against the threat the virus poses as soon as possible.”

Catalent’s 453,000-square foot facility at St. Petersburg is its primary softgel development and manufacturing facility in the U.S., with a capacity of 18 billion capsules per year.