The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that the potentially fatal norovirus causes roughly 900 deaths and 109,000 hospitalizations per year in the U.S. It affects older adults more severely, and its symptoms include sudden and severe stomach problems. Cocrystal Pharma CEO James Sapirstein said, “What we hear from patients is that norovirus won’t kill you, but you wish it did.” In addition to causing agonizing gastrointestinal distress, the stomach virus also increases health care costs. Norovirus is responsible for an estimated 685 million illnesses and $60 billion worldwide in healthcare costs and lost productivity. Currently, no specific medication treats norovirus, so healthcare providers focus on replacing lost fluids and managing symptoms such as diarrhea.
Cocrystal is a clinical-stage biotechnology company with the lead candidate, CDI-988. This oral antiviral treatment received FDA fast track designation for norovirus treatment and prophylaxis. CDI-988 is in a placebo-controlled phase 1b human challenge study at Emory University School of Medicine that completed dosing its last participant. Cocrystal expects preliminary results in late 2026 or early 2027.
Drug R&D fo...