Australian biotech firm Noxopharm has announced that the Victorian Government has granted A$1.45M to Noxopharm collaborator, Hudson Institute of Medical Research to fund the joint development programme of novel anti-inflammatory compounds.

Noxopharm’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Victoria-registered Pharmorage, is named on the grant as the collaborator that will design and synthetise the compounds with the view of commercialising any promising drug candidates generated by the research.

The research aims to identify novel drug compounds that dampen harmful excessive inflammation associated with COVID-19 infection. Should any identified drug candidates show promise of broader inflammatory indications it is anticipated that Noxopharm will investigate their commercial and scientific potential. Reducing excessive inflammation during COVID-19 infection is a critical part of limiting virus-associated hospitalisations, intensive care admissions, and deaths.

The research is set to commence shortly and will continue for approximately two years.