 Moleculin Biotech Inc. and CNS Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Monday they did not solicit or have any advance knowledge about claims made by third parties about drug candidate WP1122 and its effect on COVID-19. The two Houston-based companies had their stocks temporarily halted by the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 1 over claims and information in the marketplace about WP1122, along with the stock of WPD Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia. WPD had previously licensed rights to a portfolio of drug candidates including WP1122 from Moleculin Biotech for certain regions, while CNS is working with WPD on development. In separate statements, the companies said those parties made claims and distributed information about WP1122 during the period stretching from March 20 and May 5 regarding the potential efficacy of the drug in dealing with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The company neither solicited, had advance knowledge of, nor played any role in the preparation of such information, claims or statements, Moleculin said in a statement. Moleculin encourages all investors and persons of interest to look at the Companys releases and filings regarding the potential development of WP1122 for the treatment of COVID-19. CNS used the same language in its release. The SEC halt is scheduled to end on May 15. 