Hercules' AhR Inhibitor HP163 Blocks Viral Replication In Zika Infection And Potentially In Covid-19
Secured additional funding for Covid-19 testing and back-up drug discovery
Author:
Aug 20, 2020 3:00 AM EDT
LEIDEN, Netherlands, Aug. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Hercules Pharmaceuticals , a Dutch biopharmaceutical company focusing on developing small molecule inhibitors of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) for treatment of cancer and viral infections, today announced the publication of promising preclinical in-vivo trial results, showing efficacy of its Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) inhibitor HP163 against Zika virus infection and potentially against Corona-virus infection. On top of this, the company secured new funding to test the efficacy of the compound against Covid-19 and to generate back-up AhR inhibitors. A recent publication in Nature Neuroscience  reported that Hercules' AhR inhibitor HP163 reduces viral replication in animals infected with Zika-virus and reduced microencephaly. In-vitro studies also showed efficacy of AhR inhibitors against Dengue, a related virus. In addition, a pre-publication of an article on  Research Square  concludes that AhR inhibition may also be effective against Covid-19 and other corona virus infections via a similar mechanism. It was found that virus infection triggers AHR activation, limiting the production of type I interferons (IFN-I), involved in antiviral immunity. Moreover, AHR activation suppressed intrinsic anti-viral immunity driven by the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein, resulting in increased viral replication. AHR inhibition with Hercules' HP163 blocked Zika virus replication and ameliorated newborn microcephaly in a murine model. Successful development of AhR inhibitors could lead to oral treatment of patients with early stages of virus infection. New funding by Pharma Connect Capital
Hercules will further investigate the potential of its AhR-inhibitors for treatment of Covid-19 infections and will generate additional novel AhR inhibitors for both anti-viral and cancer treatment. To fund this program, Hercules has received an investment from Groningen based Pharma Connect Capital and a grant from SNN (Samenwerkingsverband Noord Nederland). As part of the investment, Hercules will relocate to Groningen. Bart Wuurman, CEO of Hercules Pharmaceuticals, comments:
"We are excited by the novel finding that the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor acts as a host factor for viral infections to allow viral replication. A remedy is urgently needed to treat zika and dengue infection, but mentioned studies also suggest that AhR inhibitors might be an effective oral treatment of patients with Covid-19, the virus which is holding our daily life hostage at this moment." About Zika and Dengue
Zika virus is spread by mosquitoes and is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. Zika can spread from a pregnant woman to her baby. This can result in microcephaly, severe brain malformations, and other birth defects. Dengue fever is also a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash. In  some cases, the disease develops into severe dengue, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, or into dengue shock syndrome. About 390 million people are infected each year and approximately 40,000 die. About Hercules Pharmaceuticals
Hercules Pharmaceuticals is a Dutch private biopharmaceutical company, focusing on developing small molecule inhibitors of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) for treatment of cancer and viral infections. AhR-inhibitors are known for enhancing anti-cancer immunity in the tumor microenvironment, and several AhR inhibitors are in clinical development for treatment of solid tumors. Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Hercules, Professor David Sherr is a key opinion leader in immunology related to the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor, based in Boston. About Pharma Connect Capital
Pharma Connect Capital B.V.  ( www.pharmaconnectcapital.com ) is an investment fund that finances early stage drug development. The fund is an initiative of Investerings Fonds Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen and the Noordelijke Ontwikkelings Maatschappij (NOM) and was launched in October 2017. Contact:For more informationBart Wuurman, CEO bart.wuurman@hercules-pharma.nl  Galileiweg 8, 3222BD Leiden, The NetherlandsMob: +31-64-66-23-735 www.hercules-pharma.nl
LifeSpring Life Sciences Communication, Amsterdam, the NetherlandsLeon MelensT: +31-6-538-16-427E: lmelens@lifespring.nl
View original content: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hercules-ahr-inhibitor-hp163-blocks-viral-replication-in-zika-infection-and-potentially-in-covid-19-301115210.html

Hercules' AhR Inhibitor HP163 Blocks Viral Replication In Zika Infection And Potentially In Covid-19

Hercules' AhR Inhibitor HP163 Blocks Viral Replication in Zika Infection and Potentially in Covid-19
Secured additional funding for Covid-19 testing and back-up drug discovery
LEIDEN, The Netherlands, August 20, 2020 / B3C newswire / -- Hercules Pharmaceuticals , a Dutch biopharmaceutical company focusing on developing small molecule inhibitors of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) for treatment of cancer and viral infections, today announced the publication of promising preclinical in-vivo trial results, showing efficacy of its Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) inhibitor HP163 against Zika virus infection and potentially against Corona-virus infection. On top of this, the company secured new funding to test the efficacy of the compound against Covid-19 and to generate back-up AhR inhibitors. A recent publication in Nature Neuroscience reported that Hercules’ AhR inhibitor HP163 reduces viral replication in animals infected with Zika-virus and reduced microencephaly. In-vitro studies also showed efficacy of AhR inhibitors against Dengue, a related virus. In addition, a pre-publication of an article on Research Square concludes that AhR inhibition may also be effective against Covid-19 and other corona virus infections via a similar mechanism. It was found that virus infection triggers AhR activation, limiting the production of type I interferons (IFN-I), involved in antiviral immunity. Moreover, AhR activation suppressed intrinsic anti-viral immunity driven by the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein, resulting in increased viral replication. AhR inhibition with Hercules’ HP163 blocked Zika virus replication and ameliorated newborn microcephaly in a murine model. Successful development of AhR inhibitors could lead to oral treatment of patients with early stages of virus infection. New funding by Pharma Connect Capital
Hercules will further investigate the potential of its AhR-inhibitors for treatment of Covid-19 infections and will generate additional novel AhR inhibitors for both anti-viral and cancer treatment. To fund this program, Hercules has received an investment from Groningen based Pharma Connect Capital and a grant from SNN (Samenwerkingsverband Noord Nederland). As part of the investment, Hercules will relocate to Groningen. Bart Wuurman, CEO of Hercules Pharmaceuticals, comments: “We are excited by the novel finding that the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor acts as a host factor for viral infections to allow viral replication. A remedy is urgently needed to treat zika and dengue infection, but mentioned studies also suggest that AhR inhibitors might be an effective oral treatment of patients with Covid-19, the virus which is holding our daily life hostage at this moment.”
 
About Zika and Dengue
Zika virus is spread by mosquitoes and is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. Zika can spread from a pregnant woman to her baby. This can result in microcephaly, severe brain malformations, and other birth defects. Dengue fever is also a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash. In  some cases, the disease develops into severe dengue, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, or into dengue shock syndrome. About 390 million people are infected each year and approximately 40,000 die. Hercules Pharmaceuticals is a Dutch private biopharmaceutical company, focusing on developing small molecule inhibitors of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) for treatment of cancer and viral infections. AhR-inhibitors are known for enhancing anti-cancer immunity in the tumor microenvironment, and several AhR inhibitors are in clinical development for treatment of solid tumors. Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Hercules, Professor David Sherr is a key opinion leader in immunology related to the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor, based in Boston.

Hercules' AhR Inhibitor HP163 Blocks Viral Replication in Zika Infection and Potentially in Covid-19

Thursday, 20 August 2020 09:00
Hits: 173
Secured additional funding for Covid-19 testing and back-up drug discovery
LEIDEN, The Netherlands, August 20, 2020 / B3C newswire / -- Hercules Pharmaceuticals , a Dutch biopharmaceutical company focusing on developing small molecule inhibitors of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) for treatment of cancer and viral infections, today announced the publication of promising preclinical in-vivo trial results, showing efficacy of its Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) inhibitor HP163 against Zika virus infection and potentially against Corona-virus infection. On top of this, the company secured new funding to test the efficacy of the compound against Covid-19 and to generate back-up AhR inhibitors. A recent publication in Nature Neuroscience reported that Hercules’ AhR inhibitor HP163 reduces viral replication in animals infected with Zika-virus and reduced microencephaly. In-vitro studies also showed efficacy of AhR inhibitors against Dengue, a related virus. In addition, a pre-publication of an article on Research Square concludes that AhR inhibition may also be effective against Covid-19 and other corona virus infections via a similar mechanism. It was found that virus infection triggers AhR activation, limiting the production of type I interferons (IFN-I), involved in antiviral immunity. Moreover, AhR activation suppressed intrinsic anti-viral immunity driven by the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein, resulting in increased viral replication. AhR inhibition with Hercules’ HP163 blocked Zika virus replication and ameliorated newborn microcephaly in a murine model. Successful development of AhR inhibitors could lead to oral treatment of patients with early stages of virus infection. New funding by Pharma Connect Capital
Hercules will further investigate the potential of its AhR-inhibitors for treatment of Covid-19 infections and will generate additional novel AhR inhibitors for both anti-viral and cancer treatment. To fund this program, Hercules has received an investment from Groningen based Pharma Connect Capital and a grant from SNN (Samenwerkingsverband Noord Nederland). As part of the investment, Hercules will relocate to Groningen. Bart Wuurman, CEO of Hercules Pharmaceuticals, comments: “We are excited by the novel finding that the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor acts as a host factor for viral infections to allow viral replication. A remedy is urgently needed to treat zika and dengue infection, but mentioned studies also suggest that AhR inhibitors might be an effective oral treatment of patients with Covid-19, the virus which is holding our daily life hostage at this moment.”
 
About Zika and Dengue
Zika virus is spread by mosquitoes and is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. Zika can spread from a pregnant woman to her baby. This can result in microcephaly, severe brain malformations, and other birth defects. Dengue fever is also a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash. In  some cases, the disease develops into severe dengue, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, or into dengue shock syndrome. About 390 million people are infected each year and approximately 40,000 die. Hercules Pharmaceuticals is a Dutch private biopharmaceutical company, focusing on developing small molecule inhibitors of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) for treatment of cancer and viral infections. AhR-inhibitors are known for enhancing anti-cancer immunity in the tumor microenvironment, and several AhR inhibitors are in clinical development for treatment of solid tumors. Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Hercules, Professor David Sherr is a key opinion leader in immunology related to the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor, based in Boston.

7 mins ago
Dutch Hercules Pharmaceuticals has published pre-clinical data demonstrating in-vivo results of its Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AHR) inhibitor HP163 against viral diseases, including Zika and Covid-19. The promising pre-clinical results of HP163 in Covid-19 were published in Research Square earlier this years. It is believed that the reason why AHR inhibitors are effective against Covid-19, as well as other viral diseases, is because virus infection triggers activation of the AHR, which limits the production of type I interferons involved in antiviral immunity. These results has led to Hercules raising funding from Pharma Connect Capital and Samenwerkingsverband Noord Nederland to further investigate the promise of AHR inhibitors in Covid-19, as well as other viral diseases. The amount of funding raised was not disclosed, but as a result of the financing, Hercules will be re-locating to Groningen from Leiden. Hercules CEO Bart Wuurman said: “We are excited by the novel finding that the AHR acts as a host factor for viral infections to allow viral replication. “A remedy is urgently needed to treat zika and dengue infection, but mentioned studies also suggest that AHR inhibitors might be an effective oral treatment of patients with Covid-19, the virus which is holding our daily life hostage at this moment.”
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Hercules announces positive pre-clinical results of AHR inhibitor in Covid-19

Hercules' AhR Inhibitor HP163 Blocks Viral Replication in Zika Infection and Potentially in Covid-19
Secured additional funding for Covid-19 testing and back-up drug discovery
LEIDEN, The Netherlands, August 20, 2020 / B3C newswire / -- Hercules Pharmaceuticals , a Dutch biopharmaceutical company focusing on developing small molecule inhibitors of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) for treatment of cancer and viral infections, today announced the publication of promising preclinical in-vivo trial results, showing efficacy of its Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) inhibitor HP163 against Zika virus infection and potentially against Corona-virus infection. On top of this, the company secured new funding to test the efficacy of the compound against Covid-19 and to generate back-up AhR inhibitors. A recent publication in Nature Neuroscience reported that Hercules’ AhR inhibitor HP163 reduces viral replication in animals infected with Zika-virus and reduced microencephaly. In-vitro studies also showed efficacy of AhR inhibitors against Dengue, a related virus. In addition, a pre-publication of an article on Research Square concludes that AhR inhibition may also be effective against Covid-19 and other corona virus infections via a similar mechanism. It was found that virus infection triggers AhR activation, limiting the production of type I interferons (IFN-I), involved in antiviral immunity. Moreover, AhR activation suppressed intrinsic anti-viral immunity driven by the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein, resulting in increased viral replication. AhR inhibition with Hercules’ HP163 blocked Zika virus replication and ameliorated newborn microcephaly in a murine model. Successful development of AhR inhibitors could lead to oral treatment of patients with early stages of virus infection. New funding by Pharma Connect Capital
Hercules will further investigate the potential of its AhR-inhibitors for treatment of Covid-19 infections and will generate additional novel AhR inhibitors for both anti-viral and cancer treatment. To fund this program, Hercules has received an investment from Groningen based Pharma Connect Capital and a grant from SNN (Samenwerkingsverband Noord Nederland). As part of the investment, Hercules will relocate to Groningen. Bart Wuurman, CEO of Hercules Pharmaceuticals, comments: “We are excited by the novel finding that the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor acts as a host factor for viral infections to allow viral replication. A remedy is urgently needed to treat zika and dengue infection, but mentioned studies also suggest that AhR inhibitors might be an effective oral treatment of patients with Covid-19, the virus which is holding our daily life hostage at this moment.”
About Zika and Dengue
Zika virus is spread by mosquitoes and is related to dengue, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile viruses. Zika can spread from a pregnant woman to her baby. This can result in microcephaly, severe brain malformations, and other birth defects. Dengue fever is also a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash. In  some cases, the disease develops into severe dengue, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever, or into dengue shock syndrome. About 390 million people are infected each year and approximately 40,000 die. Hercules Pharmaceuticals is a Dutch private biopharmaceutical company, focusing on developing small molecule inhibitors of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) for treatment of cancer and viral infections. AhR-inhibitors are known for enhancing anti-cancer immunity in the tumor microenvironment, and several AhR inhibitors are in clinical development for treatment of solid tumors. Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Hercules, Professor David Sherr is a key opinion leader in immunology related to the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor, based in Boston.

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Hercules Pharmaceuticals focuses on developing innovative oral drug therapies in the pharmaceutical industry, specifically targeting cancer and viral infections by inhibiting the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR). The company's main offerings include drug candidates that enhance the immune response to cancer, reduce tumor growth in solid tumor models, and block viral replication in various infection models. These therapies have potential applications in treating early symptoms of diseases such as Covid-19 and other viral infections. It is based in Breukelen, Netherlands.

Date	Round	Amount	Investors	Valuation Valuations are submitted by companies, mined from state filings or news, provided by VentureSource, or based on a comparables valuation model.	Revenue	Sources
8/24/2017	Seed VC	$0.35M	UNIIQ	$XXM	0 FY undefined	1
11/2/2015	Grant	$XXM	Subscribe to see more	$XXM	0 FY undefined	10

Date	8/24/2017	11/2/2015
Round	Seed VC	Grant
Amount	$0.35M	$XXM
Investors	UNIIQ	Subscribe to see more
Valuation	$XXM	$XXM
Revenue	0 FY undefined	0 FY undefined
Sources	1	10

First funding	Last Funding	Investor	Rounds	Board Seats	Type	Location
8/24/2017	8/24/2017	UNIIQ	1 Seed VC		Venture Capital	Netherlands
00/00/0000	00/00/0000	Eurostars Programme	Subscribe to see more		Government	Switzerland

First funding	8/24/2017	00/00/0000
Last Funding	8/24/2017	00/00/0000
Investor	UNIIQ	Eurostars Programme
Rounds	1 Seed VC	Subscribe to see more
Board Seats
Type	Venture Capital	Government
Location	Netherlands	Switzerland

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