Scripps Research Institute testing shows Viraleze highly active against UK COVID strain
PR89848
MELBOURNE, Australia, June 1, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --
Australia's Viraleze anti-COVID nasal spray is active against the highly
infectious UK variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, reducing
infectivity of the virus by >98%, it was announced today in a major development
for the product.
Melbourne-based biopharmaceutical company Starpharma found there was no loss of
potency compared to an earlier US strain of the virus, which is irreversibly
inactivated by Viraleze within one minute of exposure.
The results hold out significant promise for the product given concerns with
the public health impacts of new variants of SARS-CoV-2. Starpharma is also
testing the Japan/Brazil and South African variants of COVID, with the results
expected in the coming weeks. Testing of the Indian variant will also be
undertaken when virus availability allows.
The antiviral testing was conducted by the renowned Scripps Research Institute
in the US, with the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2, which has been classified as a
variant of concern. The UK variant was recently reported to be responsible for
over 98% of the positive COVID infections in England and linked to multiple
outbreaks worldwide.
Internationally recognised virology researcher, Professor Philippe Gallay, at
the renowned Scripps Research Institute in the US, commented: "We are impressed
with the antiviral activity of SPL7013, and that it retains potent activity
against the SARS-CoV-2 UK variant B.1.1.7.
"It is particularly exciting to see a product with this level of antiviral
activity against a variant of concern that is much more transmissible than
earlier SARS-CoV-2 strains. The latest data are consistent with our previous
data showing antiviral and virucidal effects of SPL7013 against the US strain
of this highly infectious virus, and suggest a mechanism of action that is not
affected by mutations in the virus spike proteins."
Viraleze complements other prevention strategies, including vaccines, and has
special relevance where social distancing is not possible such as in high-risk
environments like travel, hotel quarantine, sporting and social events.
Starpharma CEO Dr Jackie Fairley said the company was pleased to confirm the
potency of Viraleze against the UK variant, given the enormous public health
challenges posed by the global escalation of SARS-CoV-2 variants.
"SPL7013 (the active ingredient in Viraleze) has consistently shown high levels
of antiviral activity, not only against multiple COVID-19 strains but also
against a broad spectrum of other respiratory viruses including influenza," Dr
Fairley said.
"These recent findings further support why Viraleze is an ideal and
complementary product to use alongside vaccines and other protective measures."
Dr Fairley said: "The UK variant has been reported to be 43% to 90% more
transmissible than preceding strains, and has been responsible for more than
98% of positive SARS-CoV-2 infections in England since early 2021.[1] The
spread of this variant also led to a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the
UK."
Dr Fairley said the UK variant has been identified to have caused 200,000 cases
in the UK and is known to have spread to more than 100 countries to date.
Viraleze is registered for sale in Europe and the UK, and is available through
one of the UK's largest pharmacy chains, LloydsPharmacy. Viraleze is also
available online through the viraleze.co website.
More information is available in the detailed announcement
https://starpharma.com/news/589
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Titmus, Sumit Media
T: +61 491 388 161
E: grant@sumitmedia.com.au
[1] Davies, N.G., et al. Estimated transmissibility and impact of SARS-CoV-2
lineage B.1.1.7 in England. Science 2021;372(6538):eabg3055
(https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abg3055)
SOURCE Starpharma
Image Attachments Links:
Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=392800
Caption: Starpharma's anti-covid nasal spray Viraleze has proven to be more than 98 per
cent effective against the UK variant.
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