SciTech Development LLC, a clinical stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on novel, advanced drug delivery mechanisms for use with cancer therapeutics, has submitted a proposal to the US Health & Human Services (HHS) Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for the use of its lead product, nanoFenretinide (ST-001), intended for the treatment of patients infected with COVID-19, it was reported on Thursday.

The company's patented and differentiated delivery system, SDV, is a proprietary intravenous, phospholipid-based, nanoparticle product. It allows drug assets, such as fenretinide, that are water insoluble, to be distributed through the circulatory system in sufficient quantities and doses to reach the target cells and produce a therapeutic effect while maintaining low toxicity levels.

Fenretinide, the first asset that SciTech has combined with SDV, is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in ST-001. Fenretinide has indicated preclinical in-vitro antiviral activity against various viruses including MERs, Dengue, Zika, West Nile, HIV, and HCV. The company says that fenretinide has been shown to inhibit viral replication in infected cells and has demonstrated modes of action that may help suppress inflammation and the progression to cytokine storms that damage vital organs.