Preclinical-stage company OrPro Therapeutics said on Thursday that it is expanding its technology platform for treatment of acute and chronic airway diseases, including cystic fibrosis (CF), to address the threat posed by COVID-19.

The company is developing ORP100S, a new type of drug to treat inflammation and obstruction in the lung associated with both chronic airway disorders and progression to severe COVID-19 disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Due to the urgent need to respond to the pandemic, especially for broad-spectrum approaches that overcome many of the limitations of vaccines, antivirals and antibody-based drugs, ORP100S is poised for accelerated COVID-19 clinical development.

ORP100S is delivered by inhalation and is planned for home use with the objective of reducing COVID-19 severity and the need for hospitalisation.

OrPro Therapeutics also announced the appointment of Ken Wilke to lead Strategy and Operations for ORP100S. Wilke has over 30 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, including 25 years at Merck.