BioVie CEO shares insights into long COVID trial - ICYMI
Published: 09:00 09 May 2026 EDT
BioVie Inc (NASDAQ:BIVI, NASDAQ:BIVIW) earlier this week outlined progress in its clinical program targeting long COVID, highlighting both the scale of the unmet need and the potential for a first-in-class treatment.
In an interview with Proactive, CEO Cuong Do said that approximately 17 million Americans are affected by long COVID, with symptoms ranging from brain fog and fatigue to more severe functional impairments.
Do noted that around 3 million individuals have been forced to leave or change employment due to the condition, underscoring its economic and societal impact.
He explained that long COVID differs from acute infection, with lingering viral protein fragments continuing to circulate in the body and triggering an ongoing immune response. He said this persistent activation leads to inflammation, particularly affecting central nervous system (CNS) function.
The company’s clinical approach is focused on addressing these CNS-related symptoms. BioVie has secured a $13 million grant to support its trial, which Do said makes it “the only company, nonprofit, any kind of organization to have received a grant to do this.” This distinction highlights both the novelty of the approach and external validation of the program.
Operationally, BioVie is nearing a key milestone. Do reported that patient enrollment is essentially complete across trial sites, with only minor extensions granted to Yale to finalize participation. As a result, the company expects to deliver top-line data by the end of the summer.
This upcoming data readout represents a significant catalyst for investors. Positive results could position BioVie as a leader in a therapeutic area with no currently approved treatments. Do indicated that the therapy “has the potential to become the first treatment for long COVID,” signaling a potentially large addressable market and strong demand if efficacy is demonstrated.
With millions of patients lacking treatment options and increasing recognition of long COVID as a chronic condition, BioVie’s progress places it at the forefront of an emerging and potentially high-impact segment within biotech.
