Starpharma's SPL7013 Shows Significant Activity Against SARS-CoV-2 (coronavirus)

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Apr 16, 2020
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Starpharma (ASX: SPL, OTCQX: SPHRY) today announced that its proprietary VivaGel® active, astodrimer sodium (SPL7013), has been shown in laboratory studies to have significant antiviral activity against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 (coronavirus disease). SPL7013 inhibited the infection of cells with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the finding was validated by replicate testing against a positive control compound, remdesivir (Gilead), which is considered a leading candidate for the treatment of COVID-19. The finding was also significant given that SPL7013 was reported to be the best performing test compound against SARS-CoV-2 in the laboratory’s assay to date. With these positive results, Starpharma is evaluating product concepts and formulation options for SPL7013, which may have potential applications in the prevention and management of COVID-19.