Newly launched biotech company pioneers breakthrough potential treatments for COVID-19

• Halo Therapeutics Ltd Prepares For Clinical Trials Of Critical And Cost-Effective Antiviral Treatments For COVID-19, After Discovering A Molecule That Alters The Shape Of The Virus Spike Protein And In So Doing, Inhibits The Ability Of The Virus To Enter in cells.
• Studies show that the treatments are potentially ‘pan-corona antivirals’ in that they will work against all strains of coronavirus – including the highly contagious’ UK (Kent)’, ‘south- African ” and “ Brazilian ”.
• The company is preparing for clinical trials. If approved, antivirals could be used by patients around the world at the first sign of COVID-19 symptoms – stopping the virus in its tracks.

A team of top scientists from the University of Bristol have announced the creation of a new biotechnology company that is developing breakthrough and newly patented potential treatments for the coronavirus.

Bristol-based Halo Therapeutics is founded by the team of leading scientists who recently made a groundbreaking discovery, which was published in Science. They found that exposure of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (coronavirus) to a free fatty acid called linoleic acid locks the virus spike protein into a closed, non-infectious form, stopping it in its tracks.

The company is now preparing to file an application to start clinical trials with infected patients *. If proven effective, antivirals could be used by people of all ages around the world at the first sign of symptoms of COVID-19, or if they have been in contact with someone infected with the virus, preventing thus the virus to take hold and stop transmission. .

Laboratory studies indicate that the antiviral will work against all pathogenic coronavirus strains, including the highly contagious ‘UK (Kent)’, ‘South African’ and ‘Brazilian’ variants by preventing the virus get into the cells of the nose, throat and lungs. Treatments being developed by Halo Therapeutics include a nasal spray and an asthma-like inhaler, and offer the possibility of a breakthrough pan-coronavirus antiviral to treat patients at all stages of the disease and reduce transmission of the virus.

The Halo Therapeutics team is currently hiring investors to help fund several parallel clinical trials. If approved, antiviral treatments could potentially begin to roll out to patients around the world.

Professor Imre Berger, director of the Max Planck-Bristol Center for Minimal Biology in Bristol and one of the team responsible for the development of the drug, explained: “The aim of our treatment is to drastically reduce the amount of the virus. that enters the body and stop Then, even if people are infected with the virus or are exposed to it, they will not get sick because the antiviral prevents the virus from spreading to the lungs and beyond. It is important to note that the viral load will be so low that it will probably stop transmission as well. ”

Professor Christiane Berger-Schaffitzel of the Bristol School of Biochemistry, added: “Our vision is that at the first sign of illness, whether you come into contact with someone with COVID-19 or have symptoms early on, you would self-medicate at home to stop the virus in its tracks and keep you from getting sick. ”

Professor Adam Finn of Bristol Medical School and Bristol Vaccine Center said: ‘As the virus mutates, there is a real risk that currently available vaccines will decrease in their protective effect and people could develop the disease again. . -effective antiviral treatments that work on all strains of the virus and complement vaccination efforts. ”

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