20/05/2022
Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP) Gammora is a synthetic peptide compound derived from the HIV enzyme integrase. This enzyme is responsible for inserting the virus’ generic material into the DNA of the infected cell. Gammora works by stimulating the integration of multiple HIV DNA fragments into the host cell’s genomic DNA, triggering the self-destruction of the infected cell (apoptosis).
Gammora stimulates the integration of multiple HIV DNA fragments into the host cell's genomic DNA, triggering the self-destruction of the infected cell and burns the Hiv virus completely.
The peptide, produced by California-based PolyPeptide Labs, has the potential to cure HIV infected patients by destroying all cells carrying the HIV virus-genome. Unlike the commercially available retroviral treatments, the “cocktail”, which aims to suppress the spread of the virus, Gammora is designed to kill HIV-infected cells, without harming uninfected cells.
Abraham Loyter, professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, first started research on this novelty drug a decade ago, having been granted patents for the peptide in 2015 and 2017. Zion Medical in-licensed the compound and has continued research and development through pre-clinical and clinical stages. On August 31, 2018, Zion Medical filed another patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for an updated version of the peptide and final drug composition.
Successful Phase 1/2a human clinical trial results
Between July and August 2018, Zion Medical conducted a Phase 1/2a human clinical trial of Gammora, reaffirming prior preclinical test results which had showed the safety and effectiveness of the drug in killing HIV-infected cells.
In Part I of this trial, nine HIV-infected patients at the Dr. Ronald Bata Memorial Hospital in Entebbe, Uganda, were randomly assigned to receive either 0.05-0.2 mg/kg, or 0.1- 0.3 mg/kg, or 0.2-0.4 mg/kg of for up to 4-5