At a Glance
- Company: Cocrystal Pharma (Nasdaq: COCP)
- Location: Hellam, Pennsylvania
- Headline figures: Phase 1 safe up to 1200 mg; targets GII.4/GII.17 strains
- Focus area: Oral 3CL protease inhibitor for norovirus (and coronaviruses)
- Next steps: Phase 1b enrollment Q1 2026; ICAR 2026 presentation
What happened?
Cocrystal Pharma announced its first oral norovirus protease inhibitor, CDI-988, will be featured at the International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR) 2026 with Phase 1 data and Phase 1b updates. The company received IRB approval from Emory University School of Medicine for a Phase 1b human challenge study, with enrollment starting Q1 2026. CDI-988 follows successful Phase 1 safety data and FDA IND clearance in September 2025.
Why does it matter?
Norovirus causes ~20 million US cases yearly, leading to severe gastroenteritis; no approved antivirals or vaccines exist, creating urgent need for prophylaxis in outbreaks (cruise ships, hospitals). CDI-988’s pan-viral activity against conserved 3CL proteases offers potential first oral therapy, addressing chronic infections in immunocompromised patients.
Who’s behind it?
Cocrystal Pharma uses structure-based discovery to design CDI-988. President Sam Lee, Ph.D., presents at ICAR; Emory conducts the challenge study with Snow Mountain Virus (GII.2).
How was it achieved?
CDI-988 inhibits highly conserved 3CLpro active sites across norovirus genogroups (GII.4, GII.17) and coronaviruses. Phase 1 (SAD/MAD) in Australia showed good safety/tolerability up to 1200 mg; no serious adverse events. Phase 1b tests prophylaxis/therapy via symptom reduction, viral shedding in 40 healthy volunteers.
What’s next?
Phase 1b readout to guide next trials; ICAR presentation 27 May 2026 in Prague shares preliminary challenge data. Expansion to chronic norovirus indications planned.
What are people saying?
“CDI-988 is the first oral antiviral drug candidate being developed for prevention and treatment of norovirus infections,” per Cocrystal. Dr. Lee: “Significant step toward a potential treatment for chronic norovirus infection.”