Why the Dimerix (ASX:DXB) share price is up today

The Dimerix Ltd (ASX: DXB) share price is rising ttoday after the company announced its involvement in a trial on COVID-19 therapies.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Dimerix Ltd (ASX: DXB) share price is rising today after the biopharmaceutical company announced its involvement in a trial on COVID-19 therapies.

Dimerix will be involved in the trial, named CLARITY 2.0, which has received approval from the Central Independent Ethical Review Board in India. It is expected to begin in April.

At the time of writing, the Dimerix share price has risen by 4% to 25 cents.

Dimerix's involvement in the CLARITY 2.0 trial

Dimerix's lead drug candidate, DMX-200, will be included in the CLARITY 2.0 trial, which will study treatment options for COVID-19.

CLARITY 2.0 will be running in India, where it will combine doses of DMX-200 with blood pressure medication to treat the respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19.

The trial will involve 600 patients infected with COVID-19, who will be treated for 28 days and supervised for 26 weeks.

CLARITY 2.0 will be led by the University of Sydney's Professor Meg Jardine from the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre. It will be run in collaboration with the George Institute for Global Health India.

Professor Meg Jardine spoke to BiotechDispatch:

The SARS-CoV-2 virus downregulates and suppresses certain anti-inflammatory effects and that may tip the local lung environment towards inflammation and fibrosis and might be why the virus has such a devastating effect on lung tissue.

We generally see that people with chronic health conditions that include inflammatory drivers… are more vulnerable to respiratory complications if they contract the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Some of those inflammatory drivers interact with the blood pressure system which is why some common blood pressure medications may improve outcomes in COVID-19 disease.

Early results suggest that DMX-200 may have stronger anti-inflammatory effects when used in combination with these blood pressure medications.

It is the second clinical trial that involves using DMX-200 to treat the respiratory symptoms brought on by COVID-19.

About DMX-200

Dimerix's DMX-200 was originally intended to treat forms of kidney disease, with which it had positive results.

The drug is a CCR2-inhibitor, aimed at reducing the damage caused by inflammatory immune cells. Thus, the company highlights that DMX-200 may also support the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 patients.

Dimerix share price snapshot

At the time of writing, the Dimerix share price is up by 4% to 25 cents. It has a year to date return of 6% and is up 70% over the last 12 months.

Dimerix has a market capitalisation of approximately $48 million, with 198 million shares outstanding.

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Share Market News

A male sharemarket analyst sits at his desk looking intently at his laptop with two other monitors next to him showing stock price movements
Share Market News

5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

Will the market end the week on a positive note? Let's find out.

Read more »

Young man with a laptop in hand watching stocks and trends on a digital chart.
Share Market News

Which investment trends drove equity markets in May according to Macquarie?

The ASX 200 increased 4.2% in May.

Read more »

Person pretends to types on laptop drawn in sand.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

It was a miserly session for investors today.

Read more »

Modern accountant woman in a light business suit in modern green office with documents and laptop.
Opinions

Too high? These 2 ASX shares might be due for a correction

These popular blue chips are looking dicey to me.

Read more »

A man clenches his fists in excitement as gold coins fall from the sky.
Broker Notes

These ASX 200 shares could rise 20% to 35%

These shares are being tipped to deliver market-beating returns by analysts.

Read more »

Keyboard button with the word sell on it.
Broker Notes

8 ASX All Ords stocks downgraded to sell ratings

Find out which shares are out of favour with the experts.

Read more »

Woman smiling whilst shopping in a clothing store.
Dividend Investing

Why this quality ASX 300 dividend stock is tipped to surge 54%

A leading fund manager forecasts significant outperformance from this quality ASX 300 dividend stock.

Read more »

A group of businesspeople clapping.
Broker Notes

Bell Potter names more of the best ASX 200 stocks to buy in June

These stocks could be best buys this month according to the broker.

Read more »