| News
Roivant developing treatment for coronavirus patients
23.03.2020
The Basel-based pharmaceutical company Roivant Sciences wants to develop a special antibody for coronavirus patients. This is intended to help treat and prevent acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Vivek Ramaswamy, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Roivant Sciences
Roivant Sciences is working on the development of a monoclonal antibody by the name of gimsilumab, as detailed in a press release. This targets the cytokine GM-CSF. According to the company, new clinical evidence is revealing that there is a connection between GM-CSF and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in coronavirus patients. ARDS is a serious complication related to coronavirus that can see patients hospitalized or necessitate the use of mechanical ventilation or other life-support measures.
Roivant Sciences has previously tested gimsilumab in non-clinical investigations as part of a Phase 1 study. Treatment with the antibody has so far “been associated with a favorable safety and tolerability profile”, the press release states. The company has now contacted the regulatory authorities in the USA, Europe and Asia, with the aim of driving forward the clinical development of this antibody.
“Targeting GM-CSF represents a promising strategy for curbing lung damage while allowing time for the virus to clear”, comments Elizabeth Volkmann from the US institute UCLA Health, in the press release. “It is my hope that gimsilumab will reduce mortality from COVID-19 and help improve the lives of those affected by this emerging public health crisis”, she explains further.
Roivant Sciences and its subsidiaries received support from BaselArea.swiss during their efforts to establish a presence in Basel.
Share this article
Sign up to receive our newsletter in your inbox.
You might also be interested in
Space Pharmaceuticals establishes presence in Basel
Space Pharmaceuticals AG is strengthening the life sciences cluster in the Basel Area. At its research lab, the cheminformatics company...
Read MoreNextImmune to benefit from Venture Kick financing
The startup accelerator Venture Kick is supporting NextImmune with financing in the amount of 150,000 Swiss francs. The spin-off from...
Read MoreOECD impressed by the canton of Jura’s innovation system
The OECD has examined the innovation systems in place in rural areas of its member states, including the canton of...
Read Moreti&m opens branch in Basel
ti&m now has an office in Basel. With this action, the company specializing in digitization, security and innovation projects is...
Read MoreWhat can artificial intelligence do for health?
Algorithms help diagnose and treat diseases, discover new drugs and personalize prevention. Thus, the potential of artificial intelligence has been...
Read MoreEconomic promotion agency creates 55 new jobs in Jura
The economic promotion agency of the canton of Jura supported a total of 26 companies in founding, establishing a presence...
Read MoreInvestors top up capital of BioVersys
BioVersys has raised 24.2 million Swiss francs in a series C funding round. The Basel-based pharmaceutical company plans to use...
Read MoreSwiss made software label awarded to 1000th company
Swiss made software GmbH has now awarded its seal of quality to its 1,000th member firm. The “swiss made software”...
Read MoreEvokAI to acquire Advancience
EvokAI Creative Labs Inc. has agreed a deal to acquire Advancience. The diagnosis profiles enhanced by Artificial Intelligence (AI) developed...
Read MoreBeiGene opens European headquarters in Basel
BeiGene has opened its new European headquarters in Basel. The global biotech specializing in innovative cancer treatments intends to build...
Read More