Could a new pill block COVID-19's spread? a first human trial begins
NCT ID NCT05977140
First seen Aug 19, 2026 · Last updated Aug 20, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-stage trial is testing an experimental oral drug called CDI-988 in healthy adults to see if it is safe and how it behaves in the body. CDI-988 is designed to block a key enzyme that the COVID-19 virus needs to multiply. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the drug or a placebo, and researchers monitor side effects and drug levels in the blood.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- CDI-988, an experimental oral drug that blocks a key enzyme the COVID-19 virus needs to multiply
- What this could lead to
- If CDI-988 proves safe and well-tolerated, it could become a new oral treatment for COVID-19, offering another option to reduce viral spread and severity.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early, first-in-human study focused on safety, not effectiveness. The drug may cause side effects or fail to show promise in later trials.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
-
94 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Sep 2023
- Finished
-
Jul 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 55 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy males or non-pregnant, non-lactating females * Body weight of at least 45 kg. * Body mass index ≥18.0 and ≤32.0 kg/m2 * Good state of mental and physical health * Negative severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test Exclusion Criteria: * Received an investigational drug within 30 days * Received a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine within 7 days * Drug or alcohol abuse in the past 12 months * Clinically significant abnormal biochemistry, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis test results * Clinically significant abnormal ECG or vital signs
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Scientia Clinical Research Pty Ltd
Randwick, New South Wales, 2031, Australia
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