PharmAust Ltd. announced that it is working closely with Dr Martijn van Hemert at Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) in the Netherlands as more research is being undertaken at LUMC to increase the solubility of MPL, as a precursor to MPL demonstrating applicability against coronavirus. This involves finding conditions that are compatible with the highly specialised assays and coronavirus culture conditions for testing MPL. These assays and this development program are crucial for later performing work in more advanced human airway systems. Combining the conditions required for the specialised cell-based assays at LUMC with the highly insoluble nature and unique features of MPL, means the standard assays used for other compounds require a unique high level of optimisation in MPL testing. As announced on 28 May 2018, PharmAust successfully reformulated monepantel (MPL) from a liquid product to a tablet. As announced on 17 October 2017, part of the challenge in reformulation was addressing the poorly soluble nature of MPL in water. PharmAust's clinical research plans, however, remain on track. As announced on 23 December 2020, MPL manufacture in preparation for research and development in Phase 1/2 clinical trials is ongoing with trials remaining due to commence later in CY 2021.