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- Starpharma’s (SPL) SPL7013 drug has shown a reduction of more than 99.99 per cent against the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2
- This variant is 60 per cent more transmissible than the Alpha variant and has been identified in at least 102 countries
- Testing was done in the laboratory of virologist Professor Philippe Gallay at The Scripps Research Institute in the US
- SPL7013 is a key component of Starpharma’s VIRALEZE nasal spray which works by slowing down the infection of host cells
- Starpharma is up 6.75 per cent on the market with shares trading at $1.35 at 12:15 pm AEST
Starpharma’s (SPL) SPL7013 drug has shown a reduction of more than 99.99 per cent against the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2.
The Delta variant has been identified in at least 102 countries and has been linked to outbreaks across Australia, Indonesia, Japan, India, the US, the UK and Europe.
It is 60 per cent more transmissible than the Alpha variant and appears to be more problematic in children and young adults.
Testing was done in the laboratory of virologist Professor Philippe Gallay at The Scripps Research Institute in the US.
This is the same laboratory where previous studies showed the potent antiviral and virucidal activity of SPL7013 against the Alpha, Beta and Gamma variants.
Testing also confirmed virucidal activity against the Kappa variant with a 99.9 per cent reduction of the virus after a 30 second exposure.
Professor Gallay said the antiviral activity against the Delta variant was pleasing as more variants continued to emerge.
“SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to emerge and dominate new infections worldwide,” Professor Gallay said. “These variants have changes in several viral proteins, including in the spike protein that is essential for the virus to infect its host cell.
“It is remarkable the SPL7013 has demonstrated potent anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity against the broad-spectrum variants of concern, Alpha, Beta, Gamma and now importantly Delta, and variant of interest, Kappa, in vitro.”
SPL7013 is a key component of Starpharma’s VIRALEZE nasal spray which works by slowing down the infection of host cells when applied to cells before and after exposure to the virus.
From there it blocks the interaction between viral surface proteins and human cell receptor proteins.
Starpharma CEO Jackie Fairley is excited by the quick response time as the Delta variant continues to run rampant.
“We are very pleased to confirm the rapid virucidal activity of SPL7013, with greater than 99.99 per cent reduction of infectious virus in just 30 seconds against the Delta variant,” Dr Fairley commented.
“The Delta variant continues to challenge public health responses worldwide – most recently triggering lockdowns and emergency restrictions in Australia, Japan and Indonesia.
“Similar to the situation in the UK, the Delta variant is currently the greatest threat in the US to our attempt to eliminate COVID-19.”
Starpharma was up 6.75 per cent on the market with shares trading at $1.35 at 12:15 pm AEST.
