Daewoong Developing New Drug for Pulmonary Fibrosis Caused by COVID-19

Daewoong Pharmaceuticals is reportedly developing the world's first treatment for pulmonary fibrosis caused by COVID-19 infections.

Daewoong Pharmaceuticals is developing “DWN12088,” a candidate material for the world's first new oral drug for pulmonary fibrosis. The substance was selected as an item eligible for support from the Government’s New Drug Development Project Group in 2019. Last August, it was also designated as a rare drug by the U.S. FDA and its global clinical trials began in September. The clinical trials are underway with the goal of launching a treatment for pulmonary fibrosis in 2025.

Coronavirus infections can cause severe inflammation such as cytokine storms (IL-2, -7, -10, GCSF, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α and TNF-α), and severe inflammation can cause pulmonary fibrosis.

Fibrosis is a symptom where tissues or organs are hardened and there is no cure yet. Thus, new drug development is needed.