Eisbach Bio GmbH, a biotechnology company based at the Innovation and Start-Up Center for Biotechnology (IZB) in Martinsried near Munich, that targets the molecular machines that drive human disease, announced the start of a Phase 1, first-in-human clinical trial for EIS-10700, a small molecule that targets the RNA helicase of SARS-CoV-2, at the end of April. Eisbach Bio is developing a COVID-19 antiviral as part of the EisCor2 project supported by the German Federal Ministry of Research (BMBF).

The trial is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of their proprietary helicase inhibitor in healthy volunteers. Emerging from Eisbach’s drug discovery platform, EIS-10700 is a novel, SARS-CoV-2-directed small molecule helicase inhibitor that has been developed to suppress viral replication through a mechanism that is conserved across all known COVID-19 variants, thus resistant to potential mutations.

The drug candidate has shown promising results in preclinical studies. The company is now moving forward with clinical trials to further evaluate its safety and tolerability.

“We are excited to announce the initiation of Phase 1 clinical trials for EIS-10700, our first-in-class SARS-CoV-2 helicase inhibitor,” said Dr. Adrian Schomburg, CEO of Eisbach Bio GmbH. “This is an important milestone in the development of our drug, and we look forward to advancing it through clinical trials. We aim to deliver a sustainable medicine to globally reduce COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths.” The Phase 1 trial will be conducted in collaboration with Nusivan GmbH in Germany and receives support from the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF) in the context of the funded EisCor2 project. Eisbach Bio GmbH expects to complete the trial in the coming months and to advance the drug into later-stage clinical trials to test its antiviral efficacy.

Eisbach Bio GmbH targets the molecular machines that drive human disease
Eisbach develops novel drugs targeting helicase enzymes, including molecular machines that are essential to tumors with defined genetic vulnerabilities in the context of DNA damage and repair (DDR). Its proprietary helicase platform and discovery engine ALLOS creates targeted therapies that exploit disease-relevant vulnerabilities. By shutting off the machines’ engines using allosteric inhibitors, Eisbach’s impactful medicines prevent the reorganization and evolution of cancer genomes. Founded in 2019, Eisbach is privately held and backed by international investors. For more information, please visit www.eisbach.bio.