Holista Colltech (ASX:HCT) - Managing Director, Dr Rajen Manicka
Managing Director, Dr Rajen Manicka
Sourced: The Edge Markets
The Market Online - At The Bell

Join our daily newsletter At The Bell to receive exclusive market insights

  • Biotechnology company Holista Colltech (HCT) has announced plans to co-develop and produce a nasal sanitising balm to fight the coronavirus
  • The balm will include Path-Away, a compound that has proven effective against some corona-type viruses
  • Holista and Global Infection Control Consultants will extend their partnership to develop the balm
  • Production should commence in Malaysia by 2020’s third quarter
  • Holista’s share price is down 2.56 per cent, with shares currently trading at $0.19 apiece

Holista Colltech (HCT) and Global Infection Control Consultants LLC will co-develop the world’s first nasal sanitising balm as a coronavirus deterrent.

Holista founder Dr Rajen Manicka, and GICC LLC founder Dr Arthur Martin announced the collaboration together. “Following the outbreak of COVID-19, the two companies will extend their partnership and accelerate the development of the nasal sanitising balm which will contain Path-Away.”

Path-Away is a plant-based, alcohol-free compound which GICC LCC produces.

The compound attaches itself to a virus, and weakens the cell walls, forcing the virus cells to clump together. This process kills the cells and neutralises the threat of infection.

Thus far, Path-Away has proven effective against more than 170 pathogens, including some corona-type viruses.

Path-Away is currently used in Holista’s hand-held NatShield sanitising spray. The NatShield spray has already sold out in South-East Asia since the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan.

Dr Martin spoke further about the need for the balm, as opposed to other infection deterrents. “Masks do not provide complete protection to the nose, as they are loose-fitting and may allow small droplets to enter the mouth and nose. Since Path-Away is plant-based and alcohol-free, it does not irritate the nose and will be effective for six hours.”

Holista and GICC LLC plan to file a global patent on the nasal sanitising balm in 2020’s first quarter.

Balm production should commence in Malaysia by 2020’s third quarter, with hopes to distribute globally by the Northern Hemisphere’s winter.

Holista’s share price is down 2.56 per cent, with shares currently trading at $0.19 apiece.

HCT by the numbers
More From The Market Online

Telix Pharma gears up to launch US IPO

Telix Pharmaceuticals has announced it's working with Morgan Stanley to list depository shares on the NASDAQ.

This stock provides Oz’s only HIV self-test kit – and it’s bullish on the budget

Atomo Diagnostics is the only company in Australia that provides TGA-approved HIV self-test kits. It says…

Recce Pharma heading closer to full efficacy data for flagship R327

Recce Pharma has announced the latest cohort of patients in the company's Phase I/II UTI trial…