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Synairgen focuses on potentially breakthrough coronavirus treatment now at last stage of trials

Last updated: 07:35 11 Oct 2023 BST, First published: 12:35 22 Jan 2021 GMT

Snapshot

  • Synairgen appoints new CFO as incumbent bows out after nearly 20 years
  • Demand for healthcare stocks similar to late 90s tech boom, says analyst
  • Synairgen reaffirms dedication to key asset, says broker
  • Synairgen looking beyond COVID in fight against respiratory illness
lung x-ray

About the company

Synairgen PLC is a UK-based respiratory company focused on drug discovery, development and commercialisation.

The company's primary focus is developing SNG001 (inhaled interferon beta) for the treatment of severe viral lung infections as potentially the first host-targeted, broad-spectrum antiviral treatment delivered directly into the lungs.

SNG001 has been granted Fast Track status from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Synairgen was founded by University of Southampton Professors Sir Stephen Holgate, Donna Davies and Ratko Djukanovic in 2003.

How it is doing

11 Oct 2023

Synairgen PLC (AIM:SNG, OTC:SYGGF) said Joseph Colliver will succeed John Ward as chief financial officer effective 6 November.

Colliver comes to Synairgen with experience in senior finance and non-executive roles, most recently in life sciences.

Ward will ensure an "orderly handover" after almost 20 years with the company.

"Joseph's many years of listed company experience, including in the healthcare sector, will stand us in good stead as we progress towards the clinic with our SNG001 strategy," said chief executive Richard Marsden.

03 Oct 2023

Synairgen PLC (AIM:SNG, OTC:SYGGF) has appointed seasoned pharmaceutical physician and drug developer Dr. Marcin Mankowski as chief medical officer, effective immediately.

Synairgen, which is developing SNG001, an investigational formulation for inhalation containing the immunomodulatory broad-spectrum antiviral protein interferon beta, created the new full-time role as clinical development progresses.

21 Sep 2023

Synairgen PLC (AIM:SNG, OTC:SYGGF) said it is making strides in preparing for further clinical trials of SNG001 as a broad-spectrum antiviral based on insights gained from the Covid pandemic.

The company aims to identify patients most likely to benefit from the treatment, focusing on those with high virus levels or weak immune responses.

Insight: Demand for healthcare stocks similar to late 90s tech boom, says analyst

06 Aug 2020

An upsurge in investor demand for healthcare and biotechnology stocks in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic has been likened to the heady days of the ‘tech boom’ in the late 1990s by one broker.

Andy Thacker at Turner Pope Investments told Proactive that the demand for healthcare stocks among investors was reminiscent of the tech boom in the fact that “investors didn’t want to look at anything else”.

What the brokers say

21 Sep 2023

Synairgen PLC (AIM:SNG, OTC:SYGGF) has reaffirmed its dedication to the clinical development of its primary respiratory anti-viral asset, SNG001, as revealed in its first-half financial results, according to analysts at Cavendish.

The phase III SPRINTER trial and the United States Government's ACTIV-2 trial have yielded valuable data, suggesting that SNG001 could potentially mitigate the progression of respiratory diseases, particularly in high-risk and severely affected patients, the corporate broker noted.

As such, the company is actively identifying patients who are most likely to benefit from SNG001 to inform the design of future studies.

What management says

21 Sep 2023

Synairgen PLC (AIM:SNG, OTC:SYGGF) chief executive Richard Marsden speaks to Thomas Warner from Proactive London about the company's ongoing efforts to develop what he describes as a "drug to help patients handle respiratory viruses."

He explains that work on the drug long predates the COVID pandemic and has intensified since, but is careful to emphasise that the intention of Synairgen is to develop a respiratory drug that can be of use to patients with other respiratory conditions as well. He notes the importance of looking beyond COVID-19, given the unpredictability of its media presence and its potential long-term existence alongside other viruses.

Marsden discusses their past Sprinter trial and the need for targeted future clinical trials. Utilising technologies and data that emerged during the pandemic, Synairgen plans to identify patients most likely to deteriorate due to the virus. This strategic approach aims to conduct faster trials with a higher chance of success.

Synairgen looking beyond COVID in fight against respiratory illness

Synairgen PLC (AIM:SNG, OTC:SYGGF) chief executive Richard Marsden speaks to Thomas Warner from Proactive London about the company's ongoing efforts to develop what he describes as a "drug to help patients handle respiratory viruses." He explains that work on the drug long predates the COVID...

on 21/9/23