On May 14, 2020 Abivax announced that ABX464 inhibited replication of SARS-CoV-2 in an in vitro reconstituted human respiratory epithelium model, as assessed by Transepithelial electrical resistance and RTqPCR. ABX464 been shown to be an effective drug candidate in a severe inflammatory disease, ulcerative colitis. miR-124 specific up regulation by ABX464 can explain the triple effect of the drug candidate on inhibiting viral replication, down-regulation of cytokines that induce inflammation and tissue repair.