Mannin and Cyclica Enter JV to Rapidly Develop COVID-19 Drugs

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TORONTO & LEIPZIG – (April 20, 2020) – Mannin Research has entered a joint venture (JV) between Mannin GmbH, a German Mannin subsidiary, and Cyclica Inc. The Mannin – Cyclica JV will combine Mannin’s expertise and research capacity with Cyclica’s proprietary AI-augmented drug discovery platform.

The JV will focus on the development of novel compounds for the treatment of infectious diseases with an initial emphasis on COVID-19. This development will be built upon Mannin’s deep experience and research into targeting the Tie2 tyrosine kinase receptor, combined with Cyclica’s AI-augmented Ligand Design and Ligand Express drug discovery platforms. Together, Mannin and Cyclica believe new treatments can be rapidly developed for the treatment of patients with infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

“Bringing together the experimental and computational expertise and capabilities of Mannin with Cyclica under this JV will usher in a new way of thinking about and managing existing challenges in infectious disease. It will also provide an integrated platform to rapidly respond to future outbreaks.” — Naheed Kurji, President & CEO of Cyclica

Viral infections can damage the cells that make up the vessels called the endothelium. This damage leads to organ failure and allows a virus to move systemically while also increasing secondary bacterial infections. Independent research has demonstrated that reducing vascular leakage helps prevent organ failure and ameliorate acute infections. By activating the Angiopoietin-Tie2 signaling pathway it is possible to treat the vascular leakage associated with pulmonary edema, addressing the respiratory infection caused by viruses such as COVID-19.

“We are convinced that with the support of Cyclica’s outstanding and proven platform we will be able to significantly increase the quality and speed of the development of new treatments for infectious diseases such as COVID-19. We are excited by the opportunity to work with the team at Cyclica, and we hope our efforts will result in human clinical trials for COVID-19 by early 2021,” said George Nikopoulos-CEO of Mannin Research.

“Bringing together the experimental and computational expertise and capabilities of Mannin with Cyclica under this JV will usher in a new way of thinking about and managing existing challenges in infectious disease. It will also provide an integrated platform to rapidly respond to future outbreaks,” said Naheed Kurji – President & CEO of Cyclica.