Recce Pharmaceuticals (ASX:RCE) reports more strong anti-COVID test results

• Recce Pharmaceuticals (RCE) has reported more strong anti-COVID-19 results from a screening study of its RECCE-327 synthetic anti-infective
• The drug is being tested against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in an anti-viral screening program conducted by CSIRO and the Doherty Institute
• The latest round of results has proven RECCE-327 to be 99.9 per cent effective against SARS-CoV-2 at higher doses
• While Recce management said the company is “delighted” by the results, it will need to conduct further testing before deciding to pursue R327 as an anti-COVID treatment
• Either way, investors seem impressed with today’s results, with Recce shares up almost 9 per cent this morning to trade at $1.12 per share

Recce Pharmaceuticals (RCE) has reported more strong anti-COVID-19 results from a screening study of its RECCE-327 synthetic anti-infective.

The drug is being tested against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as part of an anti-viral screening program being conducted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and the Doherty Institute.

RECCE-327, or R327, already produced positive results in the early stages of the screening program, when Recce tested the ability of the product to inhibit the virus by half.

Now, in the latest round of lab tests, R327 was proven to be 99.9 per cent effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus at higher doses. Importantly, the treatment caused minimal toxicity in Vero cells, which are a typical lineage of cells used in cell cultures.

R327 results

At a dose of 4000 parts per million, RECCE-327 showed a reduction in SARS-CoV-2 viral genome numbers to the point where the virus was no longer detectable in viral titration.

In fact, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which is a highly sensitive technique for viral detection, detected a three-log drop in viral genome copies. This essentially means there was a 99.9 per cent reduction in the virus.

RT-PCR is the main method used to detect COVID-19 through swab testing in humans and animals.

“We continue to be encouraged by the results from the antiviral SARS-CoV-2 screening program as it reinforces our belief in the potential of R327 against COVID-19 including emerging variant strains,” Recce Non-Executive Chairman, Dr John Prendergast, said.

However, while Recce management said the company is “delighted” by the results, it added that further testing still needs to be done before R327 is confirmed as being active against the virus that causes COVID-19.

The company plans to take on further testing at higher dose levels to establish the IC50 and cytotoxicity of the treatment. IC50 refers to what concentration of the treatment is needed to inhibit the virus by 50 per cent.

These next results will then help the company decide if it wants to pursue R327 as an anti-SARS-CoV-2 candidate.

Either way, investors seem impressed with today’s results, with Recce shares up 8.74 per cent at 11:26 am AEDT to trade at $1.12 per share.