Vanda Pharma ^Company

Vanda on April 8 said it has launched a research partnership with UIC focused on the investigation of small molecules with the potential to treat COVID-19. In addition to studying cathepsin-L enzyme inhibition, Vanda said, the partners will also explore drugs that may block SARS-CoV-2 virus entry at the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptor, and the transmembrane protease serine 2 precursor. The partners plan to launch in New York a clinical trial called ODYSSEY, a study of tradipitant in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia that was announced on April 2.