Eleva's Drug Candidate to Be Examined for Use in COVID-19 Treatment

FREIBURG,Germany,June 3,2020 --Eleva,a manufacturer of superior biologics,is exploring the potential of one of its drug candidates for first-in-line therapy of COVID-19. The compound,factor H,is part of the complement system,which is believed to affect the severity of the course of COVID-19. Eleva has developed factor H previously for a different indication and taken it through pre-clinical stages.

The complement system is a vital part of the immune system. It recognizes and destroys pathogens and protects the body's own cells with a special component,factor H. Insufficient amounts of factor H lead to excessive inflammation and risk of tissue damage. Emerging evidence suggests that the lung tissue decay observed in severe cases of COVID-19 could be caused by this unregulated inflammation. Current means to inhibit this process use artificial antibodies that block the pathway altogether,stopping the inactivation of pathogens and causing a significant risk of infection. Conversely,supplemented factor H allows for regulated defence while protecting the host cells.

Andreas Schaaf,CEO of Eleva,says: "Unlocking novel therapies is our mission. This path deserves to be explored and may lead to effective treatment of COVID-19."

Eleva has previously developed recombinant factor H for glomerulopathy and taken it through pre-clinical stages. Studies have indicated a significant reduction in inflammation and tissue damage when factor H was supplemented. Eleva is now looking to accelerate the COVID-19-specific evaluation with a pharmaceutical partner.

About Eleva

Eleva develops novel biological therapies with its pharmaceutical partners. The privately-held company leverages its unique moss-based production platform to produce supreme biologics likeantibodies,replacement enzymes,or fusion toxins. Eleva hassuccessfullydevelopeddrug candidates into clinical phases.

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eleva GmbH

Fabienne Zeitter

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www.elevabiologics.com