Interferon Beta is a protein used in treating multiple sclerosis, and with antiviral and anti-proliferative properties. Now, Southampton, UK based biotech Synairgen has used this protein with remarkable success in reducing severe COVID-19 disease. The UK government is fast-tracking approval of the drug, because Interferon Beta appears to offer fresh hope in the pandemic.
Interferon Beta Offers Fresh Hope in Pandemic by Cutting the Odds
Results are just in of a trial where patients breathed the protein directly through a nebulizer. This is a device enabling a patient to inhale a solution as a fine spray. The relatively small, double-blind trial of 101 COVID-19 patients produced remarkable results among those using Interferon Beta nebulizers.
1… Firstly, the subject group was 79% less likely to develop severe disease requiring ventilation
2… Secondly, the subject group was to-to-three times more likely to be able to resume everyday activities
3… Finally, there were also ‘very significant reductions’ in breathing difficulties among subjects
Moreover, patients using Interferon Beta nebulizers spent a third less time in hospital, i.e. from nine to six days according to Justin Rowlatt of BBC news. Therefore, is this case proved for Interferon Beta offering fresh hope the pandemic?
Would Successful, Larger Studies Make This a Game Changer?
Lead scientist Tom Wilkinson believes this would be the case, because the treatment benefits were ‘unusually strong’. However, we should add the announcement is in terms of stock market rules, and a peer review is still pending.
UK based biotech Synairgen is none the less pressing ahead to present the results to medical regulators throughout the world. The UK government has promised to ‘work as fast as it can’ to get the promising COVID-19 treatment to market.
CEO Richard Matsden was ecstatic when he said he could not have expected better results. If all goes well, Synairgen could be producing 100,000 doses a month by the UK winter, he says. It seems likely Interferon Beta could offer fresh hope for the pandemic encircling us.
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Preview Image: A Typical Hospital Nebulizer
