Canopus BioPharma has also initiated pre-clinical research on CB5300 as a therapeutic agent for dengue fever. The incidence of dengue fever virus infection has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades. Some 2.5 billion people – two fifths of the world's population are now at risk from dengue virus infection. The WHO currently estimates there may be 50-100 million dengue viral infections worldwide every year.
There is no specific treatment or antiviral drugs currently available for dengue fever. The Center of Disease Control (Atlanta USA) recommends plenty of fluids, rest, antipyretics (avoiding aspirin), monitoring blood pressure, platelet count and the level of consciousness.
Currently, there is no vaccine to protect against dengue fever. Although progress is underway, developing a vaccine against the virus, in either its mild or severe form is challenging. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement for an effective treatment for dengue fever, CB5300 is one such candidate.
Canopus has international patents pending relating to the use of CB5300 alone or in combination with other compounds including a statin, to treat flaviviruses-including Hepatitis C and Dengue Fever. This application will be entered into the national phase in 2010.