Hyundai Biotech announces integrated clinical plan for antiviral Jefty

Hyundai Biotech Science has announced its plan for the DEN-201 integrated Phase 2/3 clinical trial of its broad-spectrum antiviral candidate, Jefty (CP-COV03). The announcement was made at the IDWeek 2026 infectious disease conference in Washington, D.C.

Professor Davey M. Smith of UC San Diego School of Medicine presented the strategy, highlighting Jefty's potential as a first-in-class host-targeted oral antiviral. The clinical trial aims to address febrile viral infections, such as dengue fever, which currently lack specific treatments and often present with overlapping early symptoms.

The DEN-201 trial is currently underway in Vietnam at the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases in Hanoi and Tien Giang General Hospital, following approval from the Vietnamese Ministry of Health. Initial blind safety analysis reported no serious adverse events (SAEs) or deaths, with only mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms noted.

Hyundai Biotech plans to expand the scope of development following successful adult trials. Future goals include expanding to pediatric and elderly populations and utilizing a basket design in Phase 3 to include other febrile viral diseases such as Zika, influenza, and COVID-19.