OPS-172

OPS-172 is a preclinical-stage drug candidate being developed by Ocean Biomedical for the treatment of COVID-19. It acts as a modulator of the Proto-oncogene protein c-mas-1 (Mas receptor), which is a key component of the protective arm of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). During SARS-CoV-2 infection, the virus binds to ACE2, leading to its downregulation and a subsequent deficiency in Angiotensin-(1-7), while causing an overabundance of the pro-inflammatory Angiotensin II. OPS-172 is designed to activate the Mas receptor, mimicking the anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and vasodilatory effects of Angiotensin-(1-7). This mechanism aims to restore the balance of the RAS and mitigate the severe pulmonary inflammation and lung injury associated with COVID-19 and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).