Vazegepant: Migraine and COVID-19

A new drug is being testing that may be used both for migraine – and COVID-19.

The drug is called vazegepant (BHV-3500). It’s one of the “gepant” medications that we’ve talked about before. Generally, they should make great abortive drugs because they work quickly, but they are slower coming to the market because of the testing that is needed.

Vazegepant comes from Biohaven, the makers of rimegepant – sold as Nurtec ODT. Rimegepant is an abortive, but it’s being tested as a preventative as well.

Vazegepant is soon to enter phase 3 of testing as a preventative for migraine, given as a nasal spray. Biohaven says this about the new medication:

Vazegepant (BHV-3500), the second product candidate in our CGRP platform, is a highly soluble small molecule CGRP receptor antagonist. It is also structurally distinct from rimegepant. The chemical properties of vazegepant make the product candidate potentially suitable for multiple routes of delivery, including nasal, subcutaneous, inhalation or oral administration.

Vazegepant

So, another “CGRP” related drug, but with some unique properties. And one of those unique properties may be the treatment of COVID-19. Specifically, the treatment of more severe cases.

On the 8th of April, the FDA gave approval for the trial to begin. The hope is that vazegepant may help stop a major complication of COVID-19. Dr. Donnie McGrath from Biohaven explains: “There is a solid scientific rationale supporting testing of small-molecule CGRP antagonists as a way to mitigate the neuro-immune consequences of respiratory viral infections like COVID-19.” [source]

The phase 2 trial is now recruiting in the USA. If you would like information, the trial information is available here, with contact information: Safety and Efficacy Trial of Vazegepant Intranasal for Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 Requiring Supplemental Oxygen