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- Pharmaceutical company Starpharma (SPL) has completed additional testing for SPL7013 against SARS-CoV-2
- These studies have confirmed that when applied at the concentration of the nasal spray, SPL7013 inactivates more than 99.9 per cent of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19
- Starpharma is now accelerating the development of the nasal spray and has already completed reformulation, packaging, pilot product manufacture, and regulatory documentation
- The company has also begun discussions across a range of distribution channels and customer groups and expects the product will be ready for market in 1H CY21
- Starpharma is up 7.21 per cent and shares are currently trading for $1.71 each
Starpharma (SPL) has completed additional testing for SPL7013 against SARS-CoV-2.
Studies have been conducted at the Scripps Research Institute in the U.S. and results have confirmed that when applied at the concentration of the nasal spray, SPL7013 inactivates more than 99.9 per cent of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
“We have been working with Starpharma for a number of months now and are impressed with the antiviral data generated in our lab for SPL7013 and SARS-CoV-2,” Virology researcher Professor Philippe Gallay said.
“It is particularly exciting to see a product show such a potent and clear virucidal effect against this highly infectious virus, and for its antiviral activity to be present when SPL7013 is added either before or after exposure of cells to the virus,” he added.
SPL7013 works by slowing down the infection of host cells when applied to cells both before and after exposure to the virus.
It works by blocking the interaction between viral surface proteins and human cell receptor proteins.
Additionally, it has the potential to complement vaccines and further reduces risk by preventing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
“These latest data show that at clinically relevant concentrations, SPL7013 inactivates more than 99.9 per cent of SARS-CoV-2, which represents a compelling feature for the product,” CEO Dr Jackie Fairley commented.
“Starpharma’s COVID-19 nasal spray has potential to be an important near-term preventative product, and given it is based on an already marketed active, its part to market is both faster and less complex than a completely new product,” she said.
“Another attractive feature of Starpharma’s SPL7013 COVID-19 nasal spray is that it is entirely complementary to other prevention measures such as PPE and vaccines. It also has special relevance where social distancing is not possible such as crowded environments and certain workplaces,” she added.
Starpharma is now accelerating the development of the SPL7013 nasal spray and has already completed reformulation, packaging, pilot product manufacture, and regulatory documentation.
The company has also begun discussions across a range of distribution channels and customer groups and expects the product will be ready for market in 1H CY21.
Starpharma is up 7.21 per cent and shares are trading for $1.71 each at 12:44 am AEST.
