- Recce Pharmaceuticals (RCE) reports that independent studies of its RECCE 327 (R327) product found the drug to significantly reduce SARS-CoV-2 in Syrian golden hamsters
- The company says the study results provide it with proof of concept that the drug has the potential to reduce SARS-CoV-2 during infection
- However, further testing is still required before the drug can be confirmed as safe or effective against the virus
- The company says it has moved quickly to lodge further patent applications, with claims including the composition and method of manufacture of RECCE anti-infectives
- Shares in Recce Pharmaceuticals are up 7.58 per cent and trading at 71 cents as of 2:32 pm AEDT
Recce Pharmaceuticals (RCE) has reported that independent studies of its RECCE 327 (R327) product found the drug to significantly reduce SARS-CoV-2 in Syrian golden hamsters.
The studies were undertaken by a Netherlands-based independent third-party contract research organisation (CRO), Viroclinics, to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of R327 administered via the intranasal route against the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2.
During the study, five groups of 12 infected hamsters were treated twice daily with varying doses of R327 up to 600 milligrams per kilo, commencing treatment four hours after the infection.
SARS-CoV-2 levels were quantified using two techniques: qPCR, which measures viral genetic material, and TCID50, which measures live infectious viruses.
The results from these two techniques showed that treatment with R327 in a dose-dependent manner significantly reduced the virus levels, providing Recce with the proof of concept its drug had the potential to reduce SARS-CoV-2 during infection.
However, Recce said while it was “delighted” by the results, further testing was still required before the drug could be confirmed as safe or effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
“The data received from Viroclinics indicates the potential of R327’s capabilities as a treatment for viral infections,” Recce CEO James Graham said.
“Conducting our SARS-CoV-2 study in the Netherlands reaffirms the company’s intention to address the ongoing effects that Europe has experienced throughout the pandemic.”
The company said it had moved quickly to lodge further patent applications in Brazil, Canada, China, Israel and Vietnam, with claims including the composition and method of manufacture of RECCE anti-infectives.
Shares in Recce Pharmaceuticals were up 7.58 per cent and trading at 71 cents as of 2:32 pm AEDT.