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- New data shows Starpharma’s (SPL) antiviral nasal spray is highly effective against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- RSV is a common virus affecting the lungs and airways and is particularly harmful to the young, the elderly, and people with chronic conditions
- The effectiveness of SPL7013 against RSV adds to its already proven worth in fighting SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 flu
- Starpharma has formulated SPL7013 into a nasal spray — Viraleze — which is expected to be commercially available in the first half of 2021
- Given SPL7013’s antiviral effectiveness — whether used before or after infection — it could have great potential in pandemic settings
- Starpharma is trading 7.98 per cent higher for $1.42
New data shows Starpharma’s (SPL) antiviral nasal spray is highly effective against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
Additional testing
The data come from additional testing of the company’s SPL7013 antiviral formulation.
RSV is a common and contagious virus affecting the lungs and airways.
There’s currently no vaccine, and few therapeutics available. The virus affects around 64 million people worldwide each year and is particularly harmful to the young, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions like asthma.
The effectiveness of SPL7013 against RSV adds to its already proven worth in fighting SARS-CoV-2 and H1N1 flu, making it one of the most virulent antivirals going around.
The company is also testing the formulation against other viruses to see just how many bugs it can fight off.
Starpharma CEO Dr Jackie Fairley believes the commercial potential of the compound will grow alongside its antiviral range.
“SPL7013 is virucidal, inactivating more than 99.9 per cent of SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19,” Dr Fairley began.
“For every additional virus, like RSV, in which SPL7013 shows activity – builds the commercial opportunity for the product both in endemic respiratory viral infections and potentially for use in future pandemics,” she added.
Next steps
Starpharma has formulated SPL7013 into a nasal spray — Viraleze — which is expected to be commercially available in the first half of 2021.
The rollout will start in Europe, with other jurisdictions to follow.
The big upside of Viraleze is that it has great potential to be a preventative measure. Testing has shown a positive antiviral response, whether it’s used before or after infection.
That means people with chronic health conditions could use the spray to ward off harmful viruses before they take root.
It could also have potential in pandemic settings, where people who risk exposure to a virus could minimise the chances of contracting the disease.
Dr Fairley says Viraleze could have a big impact in future pandemics.
“What these results confirm, is that SPL7013 has broad spectrum antiviral activity, and that Viraleze could play an important role for future pandemic preparedness,” she said.
Starpharma is trading 7.98 per cent higher for $1.42 at 10:46 am AEDT.
