Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan; President, Representative Director, Gyo Sagara; ?ONO?) announced today that it has started clinical studies to investigate a proteinase inhibitor, Foipan? (generic name: camostat mesilate) Tablets (?Foipan?) for a novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Foipan has been approved for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis and postoperative reflux esophagitis. The causative virus of novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), SARS-CoV-2, binds to the ACE2 receptor on cells of the human respiratory tract, then invades and infects by fusing the viral and cellular membranes. In order to cause membrane fusion, a protease enzyme, TMPRSS2, on the surface of cell side is engaged in cleaving the spike protein on the virus surface. Foipan has a mechanism that inhibits the action of this enzyme. Having such mechanistic characteristics, Foipan is expected to be effective against COVID-19. Considering the recent basic research literature suggesting the effectiveness of camostat mesilate and the blood concentrations in humans, ONO has started a clinical study to investigate the safety of Foipan in healthy adults using higher doses of the currently approved dosage, which will be followed by a clinical study of Foipan in patients with COVID-19. Under the corporate philosophy of ?Dedicated to Man?s Fight against Disease and Pain?, ONO has been engaged in contributing to society through the discovery and development of innovative pharmaceutical products. COVID-19 has become a global threat, and there is an urgent need to develop therapeutic drugs and vaccines. We have been already supplying clinical research samples of Foipan based on requests from medical institutions and research organizations in Japan and abroad. About Foipan? Tablets Foipan? Tablets is an oral protease enzyme inhibitor created internally at ONO, and obtained a manufacturing and marketing approval in 1985 for the alleviation of acute symptoms associated with chronic pancreatitis. Foipan was also approved in 1994 for the treatment of postoperative reflux esophagitis. The substance patent for the product expired in January 1996. Contact ONO PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD. Corporate Communications public_relations@ono.co.jp