The UK-based company Pneumagen says it is developing a drug that could be effective in blocking the coronavirus' pathway into the lungs
Scientists at the St Andrews University-linked company Pneumagen say an antiviral drug they are developing could be an effective remedy against Covid-19.
Drug masks airway receptors to block coronavirus' entry into lungs
Originally created for use in treating respiratory-tract infections such as flu, the drug - called Neumifil - works by masking glycan receptors in a person's airways and blocking the coronavirus’ path into the lungs.
Neumifil: nasal spray used "weekly or every other day"
“Classic antivirals actually attack some part of the virus’ machinery, whereas our drug actually inhibits the virus from even getting into cells,” said Gary Taylor, the lead researcher and a professor of biology at St Andrews University
Pneumagen CEO: "Our goal is now to rapidly begin clinical testing"
“Today’s positive results from in vitro studies […] against coronaviruses show that glycan binding has the potential to prevent and treat infection,
Clinical trials could last for several months before the drug is approved by healthcare authorities, but this is without doubt a positive development in the battle against the coronavirus.
