On Sept. 2, 2020, the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity reported it was working to develop a PLA2 inhibitor with industry partner, Ophirex, for COVID-19 associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome treatment.

In March, Ophirex received a $2.5 million award from the Wellcome Trust to improve treatment of snakebite. The award supported the manufacturing of oral and IV varespladib, Ophirexﾒs lead drug candidate, for use in upcoming clinical trial studies.