Revive Therapeutics Ltd (CSE:RVV, OTCQB:RVVTF) has announced plans to advance its drug pipeline for inflammatory liver disorders in light of the growing number of cases of acute hepatitis in children reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Between April 5 and May 26, 2022, 650 probable cases of acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children across 33 countries have been reported to the WHO, according to Revive.
“The aetiology of this severe acute hepatitis remains unknown and under investigation; as the cases are more clinically severe and a higher proportion develops acute liver failure than previous reports of acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children,” the company said.
READ: Revive Therapeutics receives positive feedback from FDA about potential new endpoints for its Bucillamine clinical trial to treat COVID-19
Revive noted that it has a diverse product pipeline in development for rare inflammatory liver disorders, including receiving Food and Drug Administration (FDA) orphan drug designation for bucillamine to prevent ischemia-reperfusion injury during liver transplantation and cannabidiol for autoimmune hepatitis.
The company said it believes the use of bucillamine during liver transplantation has the potential to be a safe and effective approach to address the unmet medical need for a novel strategy to limit or prevent ischemia-reperfusion injury.
“Bucillamine, a cysteine derivative that contains two donatable thiol groups, in the context of ischemia-reperfusion injury is capable of replenishing the thiol group in glutathione, thereby reactivating this endogenous defense against oxidant injury,” Revive said.
The company also announced that it intends to move its head office to the United States to better access and support growing drug programs and bucillamine and other products.
Revive Therapeutics is a life sciences company focused on the research and development of drugs for infectious diseases as well as the central nervous system and inflammatory disorders.
Contact Emily at emily.jarvie@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow her on Twitter @emilyjjarvie