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PharmAust (ASX:PAA) completes investigations on COVID-19 infection agent

Health Care
ASX:PAA      MCAP $86.90M
26 July 2021 12:40 (AEST)
PharmAust (ASX:PAA) - Chief Scientific Officer, Richard Mollard

Source: PharmAust

In collaboration with three independent laboratories, PharmAust (PAA) has investigated the effects of its monepantel (MPL) and monepantel sulfone (MPLS) on SARS-CoV2 infection, the causal agent of COVID-19.  

The three labs investigated SARS-CoV2-induced cell death, SARS-CoV2 RNA release from the cell and SARS-CoV2 RNA infection of neighbouring cells.

All three investigations demonstrated both monepantel (MPL) and monepantel sulfone (MPLS) protect against cell death in vitro, following infection with SARS-CoV2.

Monepantel, the company’s lead drug candidate, is a potent and safe treatment that has been shown to have key influences in cancer growth, neurodegenerative diseases and viral infections. MPL has been evaluated in Phase 1 clinical trials in humans and Phase 2 clinical trials in dogs.

Two laboratories also investigated the effects of MPL and MPLS on early stages of the lifecycle by examining RNA release into the culture media.

One study proved both MPL and MPLS showed an around 50 per cent decrease of SARS-CoV2 viral RNA, while another saw the virus decrease by up to 70 per cent.

While preparing for clinical trials, PharmAust says it will continue to analyse data to understand optimal use of MPL as an anti-viral therapeutic.

PharmAust has been working with contract research organisations to explore European and United Kingdom evaluations for a Phase I trial in human patients to treat COVID-19, once manufacture of GMP-grade monepantel tablets is complete.

PharmAust was up 8.25 per cent, trading at 10.5 cents per share at 2:30 pm AEST.    

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