Cocrystal Pharma, Inc. announces that President and co-CEO Sam Lee, PhD discussed the scientific foundation and clinical progress with the Company’s lead pan-viral protease inhibitor CDI-988 during a podium presentation at the 9th International Calicivirus Conference, held September 7–11, 2025 in Banff, Alberta. Based on a novel mechanism of action and superior broad-spectrum antiviral activity, CDI-988 represents a potential first oral antiviral for the prevention and treatment of norovirus infection.
“It was an honor to share highlights of our CDI-988 Phase 1 data with global norovirus experts at the leading calicivirus scientific meeting,” said Dr. Lee. “The recent completion of Phase 1 study and U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Investigation New Drug (IND) clearance for the next study mark significant milestones for our clinical development of CDI-988.”
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In “Oral Direct-Acting Antiviral CDI-988 for Norovirus Infection Prevention and Treatment: Mechanism of Action and Phase 1 Study Results,” Dr. Lee emphasized CDI-988’s favorable safety profile in human intestinal tissue, the primary site of norovirus infection, along with its high exposure in small intestine, suggesting a potential GI-targeted norovirus antiviral.
CDI-988 was rationally designed with Cocrystal’s proprietary structure-based drug discovery platform technology. In vitro potency data and high-resolution crystal structures have shown broad-spectrum antiviral activity against multiple norovirus genogroups including GII.4 and GII.17, the strain responsible for the majority of circulating infections.
Dr. Lee also discussed previously reported Phase 1 results demonstrating CDI-988’s favorable safety and tolerability profile, with no serious adverse events. Earlier this week, Cocrystal announced FDA authorization to proceed with a Phase 1b human challenge study to evaluate CDI-988 as a potential norovirus prophylaxis and treatment. The study is expected to begin before year end.
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The Calicivirus Conference is held every three years and unites scientists from across the globe who study calicivirus virology, evolution, pathogenesis, structural biology, diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment and prevention. The conference aims to foster open discussions, spark new collaborations and explore groundbreaking research. Delegates at this year’s conference engaged with the latest advances in the field through state-of-the-art lectures, oral presentations and poster sessions.
Protease Inhibitor CDI-988
CDI-988 was designed and developed with Cocrystal’s proprietary structure-based platform technology as a broad-spectrum inhibitor to a highly conserved region in the active site of 3CL viral proteases. It targets a highly conserved region in the active site of noroviruses, coronaviruses and other 3CL viral proteases.
Norovirus Infection
Norovirus, the leading cause of viral gastroenteritis worldwide, spreads rapidly in community settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, childcare facilities, schools and cruise ships. It causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and dehydration, and is responsible for an estimated $60 billion worldwide in direct healthcare costs and lost productivity.
Cocrystal Structure-Based Platform Technology
CDI-988 leverages Cocrystal’s proprietary structure-based drug discovery platform, which provides three-dimensional visualization of inhibitor complexes at near-atomic resolution. This technology enables rapid identification of novel drug binding sites and accelerates the development of broad-spectrum antivirals for the treatment of acute and chronic viral diseases.
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Source – GlobeNewswire
