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- Biotron’s (BIT) lead drug, BIT225, has again demonstrated its effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in animals
- The success of the second study was indicated by the significant prevention of body weight loss and no death reported in SARS-CoV-2-infected animals treated with BIT225
- The study, which was tested in a COVID-19 mouse model, showed that mice that were administered the daily BIT225 by oral gavage showed no signs of any disease and all continued to gain weight as per age expectations through to day 12
- BIT shares spiked 35.4 per cent after the announcement, trading at 8.8 cents
Biotron’s (BIT) lead drug, BIT225, has again demonstrated its effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in animals, and the company will now seek to progress to human trials.
The success of the second study, at the SCRIPPS Research Institute in California, was indicated by the significant prevention of body weight loss and no deaths reported in SARS-CoV-2-infected animals treated with BIT225, as compared to animals in non-treated controls.
All conditions remained the same as in the first study, except the treatment period which was extended from seven to 12 days.
The study, which was tested in a COVID-19 mouse model, showed that mice that were administered the daily BIT225 by oral gavage showed no signs of any disease and all continued to gain weight as per age expectations through to day 12.
In contrast, all the mice in the control, drug-free group died by day 8.
“The results from the extended, repeat Study 2 confirm the results from Study 1, showing a clear clinical benefit from the treatment with BIT225,” Biotron Managing Director Michelle Miller said.
“Supported by these results, and in consultation with US-based advisers and consultants, Biotron has submitted a proposal to the US Food and Drug Administration to conduct a human clinical trial to assess the efficacy of BIT225 for the treatment of COVID-19 under the Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program, a special emergency program for potential coronavirus therapies.”
Ms Miller indicated that funding for the clinical development will be sought from potential partners and non-equity funding sources.
Biotron already has BIT225 in clinical development as a treatment for the HIV-1 virus.
BIT shares have spiked 35.4 per cent in light of the announcement, trading at 8.8 cents at 12:26pm AEDT.
