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- Starpharma’s (SPL) SPL7013 drug shows a reduction of more than 99.9 per cent against the Alpha, Beta and Gamma SARS-CoV-2 variants
- These strains are classified variants of concern due to their increased transmissibility, increased severity and reduced effectiveness to vaccines
- Testing was undertaken in the laboratory of virologist Professor Philippe Gallay at The Scripps Research Institute in the US
- Starpharma will test the Delta and Kappa variants when virus availability permits
- Starpharma is up 4.5 per cent on the market and shares are trading at $1.63 at 10:41 am AEST
Starpharma’s (SPL) SPL7013 drug has shown a reduction of more than 99.9 per cent against the Alpha, Beta and Gamma SARS-CoV-2 variants.
These strains are classified variants of concern by international public health authorities due to their increased transmissibility, increased severity and reduced effectiveness to current treatments and vaccines.
Testing of SPL7013 was undertaken in the laboratory of virologist Professor Philippe Gallay at The Scripps Research Institute in the US.
The study showed that within 30 seconds to one minute of exposure, SPL7013 achieved more than 99 per cent reduction against the Beta and Gamma variants and more than 99.9 per cent reduction within five minutes against the Alpha variant.
Starpharma will test the Delta and Kappa variants when virus availability permits.
“We are impressed with the rapid and potent virucidal and antiviral activity of SPL7013 and that it is highly active against the Alpha, Beta and Gamma SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern that have emerged and recently dominated the pandemic,” Professor Gallay said.
“It is particularly exciting to see a product with this level of virucidal activity, especially against these variants of concern that are much more transmissible than earlier SARS-CoV-2 strains.”
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.
“We are very pleased to see such potent and rapid virucidal activity of VIRALEZE against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, Alpha, Beta and Gamma,” CEO Dr Jackie Fairley commented.
“These variants continue to spread across the globe and challenge efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Starpharma was up 4.5 per cent on the market with shares trading at $1.63 at 10:41 am AEST.
