Kalytera Announces Data Demonstrating that R-107 Preserves Organ Function in a Murine Study Mimicking COVID-19 Lung Disease - Seite 2

R-107 is a Nitric Oxide Prodrug
R-107 is a liquid prodrug of nitric oxide that can be administered by injection, unlike nitric oxide gas, which requires a special type of delivery device, and complex administration by trained respiratory therapists. When administered by injection, R-107 is slowly hydrolyzed, releasing its active moiety, R-100, which in turn steadily and slowly releases nitric oxide into the lung tissue. This depot-like action of R-107 results in a sustained delivery of nitric oxide, allowing for a smooth delivery of the active drug over several days following a single dose of R-107.

Put simply, following injection, R-107 is metabolized, and releases R-100, which in turn releases nitric oxide into the tissues of the lung.  R-100 is the payload of R-107.

The Potential of Nitric Oxide in Treatment of COVID-19 Associated Lung Disease
There are currently no approved treatments for lung disease caused by the COVID-19 virus, which is a severe form of lung failure called acute respiratory distress syndrome (“ARDS”). ARDS is the leading cause of death in COVID-19.

Nitric oxide is a gas that improves blood flow in areas of the lungs that are getting air, increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood stream.¹

Along with being used to treat failing lungs, nitric oxide has also been found to have antiviral properties against coronaviruses.²

The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 (or SARS-2 coronavirus) at this time.

R-107 Mechanisms of Action
R-107 is a first-in-class small molecule redox agent that has dual mechanisms of action:

First, the nitric oxide released by R-107 protects blood vessels in the lung in multiple ways:

• When nitric oxide is released, it dilates blood vessels, lowering blood pressure in the lung and allowing blood to travel more easily through the lung without spilling over into the lung tissue. Preventing fluid from building up in the lung tissue is important to health. Excess fluid that spills into the lung tissue makes the lungs stiff and hard to expand with each breath. Excess fluid also clogs up the air spaces in the lung so that air cannot enter the lung properly and oxygen cannot be absorbed into the blood. Nitric oxide released by R-107 prevents this unhealthy build-up of fluid in the lung.
• When nitric oxide is released, it protects the inner lining of the blood vessels (“the endothelium”). This protection ensures that white cells in the blood pass through the lung without sticking to the endothelium. White cells that stick to the endothelium can not only damage the blood vessel itself but they can also pass through the blood vessels and enter the lung tissue where they can cause vast damage from toxins they release. Nitric oxide released by R-107 prevents white cells from entering the lung.