Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:RCE, OTC:RECEF) has fielded data from an independent, third-party contract research organisation (CRO) study into RECCE327’s effect on SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in Syrian golden hamsters, the gold standard animal model for COVID studies.
The study by Viroclinics, a Netherlands-based CRO, demonstrated a ‘significant’ reductive effect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, reducing levels of the virus in throat swab samples collected from the test subjects.
RCE says it is delighted by these results, as this study provides proof of concept that intra-nasal treatment with R327 has the potential to reduce SARS-CoV-2 levels during infection.
The company has flagged that further testing – including human clinical trials – will be needed before the treatment’s safety and efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 virus in humans can be confirmed.
Investors have also welcomed the news, with shares as much as 11.37% higher intraday to $0.735.
Moves to lodge patent applications
“The data received from Viroclinics indicates the potential of R327’s capabilities as a treatment for viral infections,” Recce Pharmaceuticals CEO James Graham said.
“Conducting our SARS-CoV-2 study in the Netherlands reaffirms the company’s intention to address the ongoing effects that Europe has experienced throughout the pandemic.”
In service to those intentions, Recce has lodged further patent applications for R327 and R529, including but not limited to:
- Composition/method of manufacture of RECCE anti-infectives.
- Use of R327 or R529 for the treatment of viruses having a lipid envelope or coat, examples being SARS-CoV-2 and corona viruses, influenza viruses, HIV, hepatitis, Ross River and herpes viruses.
- Administration of R327 or R529 by oral, injection, inhalation, and transdermal dose applications.
The company now intends to focus on conducting anti-viral (and specifically COVID) studies overseas.