PriceSensitive

Biotron’s (ASX:BIT) drug effective against COVID-19 in animals

ASX News, Health Care
ASX:BIT      MCAP $50.52M
25 November 2021 11:30 (AEST)
Biotron (ASX:BIT) - Managing Director & CEO, Dr Michelle Miller

Source: Biotron

Biotron’s (BIT) lead drug, BIT225, has been effective against COVID-19 in animals.

The drug was given orally and significantly reduced viral load in the lungs and blood of animals with SARS-CoV-2. Notably, there was also a reduction of the virus in the blood.

Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, known as a cytokine storm, are linked to severe illness and death in people infected with the virus. Controlling this increase is essential for the successful treatment of COVID-19.

BIT225 reduced these cytokine storms in the lungs and blood.

During the course of infection by COVID-19, the animals generally develop severe disease that is reflected in the loss of body weight. The animals treated with BIT225 did not lose weight throughout the study.

Additionally, the company also tested BIT225 in an in-vitro study in cell cultures to assess the ability of the drug on the highly infectious delta strain. Data from this study showed that BIT225 reduced the delta virus in the cell structures by more than 99.99 per cent.

Bitron is now in discussions with its USA advisors and consultants to progress the drug into human trials for COVID-19.

“These results suggest that BIT225 may have benefit over other known antiviral agents. We will actively pursue all avenues to progress this Biotron drug into human trials as quickly as possible,” Managing Director Michelle Miller said.

On the market today, Biotron was up 68.6 per cent and is trading at 8.6 cents per share at 10:59 pm AEDT.

Related News