By RedHill Biopharma Ltd. American depositary receipts (RDHL, +8.20%) surged 10% in premarket trading on Wednesday following the announcement that two of its experimental drugs, opaganib and RHB-107, have displayed encouraging results in combating the Ebola virus when combined with remdesivir.
Synergistic Effects Showcased
During the study’s bioinformatics analysis, U.S. Army Major Jeffrey Kugelman, a branch chief in the Army’s Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, revealed that both opaganib and RHB-107 demonstrated a distinct synergy in terms of viral inhibition while simultaneously maintaining cell viability.
The Ebola Virus’s Threat
Ebola virus disease is a rare but potentially fatal illness. The virus most commonly spreads to humans through infected animals or human transmission.
A Key Player: Remdesivir
Remdesivir, an antiviral medication developed by Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD, -0.01%), and marketed under the brand name Veklury, serves as an essential component in the experimental drug combination described above.
Despite significant challenges, RedHill’s promising results provide a glimmer of hope in the fight against this devastating virus. While RedHill shares have experienced a 76% decline year-to-date, the S&P 500 (SPX, +0.59%) has seen a 24% increase during the same period.
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