Asia-Pacific's largest specialist biotech CRO Novotech has been selected for the Komipharm International clinical trial of Panaphix as a potential treatment for coronavirus - Covid-19. Komipharm is seeking to expand the use of Panaphix to cover the treatment of Covid-19 through this trial.

Panaphix is a cytokine storm inhibitor that restrains the overproduction of immune cells and their activating compounds, cytokines. The overproduction of immune cells and their signalling molecules leads to severe inflammatory disease such as pneumonia in some individuals.

Novotech CEO Dr Moller said Novotech was well positioned to partner with Komipharm on this important trial of a drug which is having a particularly strong impact in Asia Pacific. Novotech has offices in eleven locations throughout Asia Pacific, with experienced local leadership, the ability to engage with regulators, strong relationships with key opinion leaders, and sites in the region will allow it to accelerate this trial.

Novotech undertakes a large number of infectious diseases trials and has particularly strong relationships in this area. Novotech recently won the Australian-Korean Business Awards 2020 - Award for Excellence, in the category Biotech and Health.

Over the last 12 months Novotech has signed several formal partnerships with key hospitals in Korea, including Seoul National University, Asan Medical Center, Yonsei University Severance Hospital, and Ulsan University Hospital, to facilitate the project management of clinical trials and accelerate biotech drug development.