Covimro, a British biotech start-up, has developed a food-grade compound which has demonstrated its efficacy against the flu virus in an animal model study carried out by A-IR Clinical Research and Pharmidex Pharmaceutical Services.
The in vivo testing analysed Covimro’s antiviral capability against an infection of Influenza A H3N2, a flu variant consistent with the seasonal, non-lethal viruses familiar to humans. Once induced, the control group of mice subjects saw the virus replicate quickly, infiltrating their airways and manifesting in comprehensive weight loss.
Subjects receiving the Covimro treatment trended toward a drastic reduction of the infected cells that replicate within the lungs and inflame the airways. This effectively slowed replication and shielded against the drastic weight loss experienced by the control group.
“In a pre-clinical model of influenza infection bearing many hallmarks of seasonal flu mediated clinical disease, daily oral Covimro treatment was shown to significantly reduce virus replication (42% vs vehicle control) and protection against associated weight loss (65% vs vehicle control),” said Dr Ross Walton, Respiratory Immunologist at A-IR Clinical Research.
In September 2020, electron microscope images from Leeds University showed Covimro disrupting the viral membrane and dislodging the spike proteins of Coronavirus within minutes of contact, rendering the virus inactive. In March 2021, Covimro was tested against HIV / Lentivirus at Oxford University, which showed a three to five log reduction in viral load across all concentrations tested.
James Lindberg, Covimro , Founder and CEO, said: “The required hallmark for any therapeutic or drug is indeed safety and efficacy. Covimro delivers both with unparalleled results, placing us at the forefront of exploring what this exciting new technology can offer.”
