(Alliance News) - Shares in Tiziana Life Sciences PLC jumped on Monday as it said it has filed a provisional patent application for a potential treatment of the novel Covid-19.
The biotechnology firm said that Covid-19 patients can develop an uncontrolled immune response known as a cytokine storm. This causes the body to produce excessive amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as other proteins like interleukin-6 which damage lung tissue and cause respiratory failure.
Tiziana said the treatment is a combination of its anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody TZLS-501 and antibiotic drug Actinomycin D, administered with the aim of suppressing a "cytokine storm".
The company stated that it believes TZLS-501 "combined with Act D could "inhibit viral proliferation and suppress inflammation in lungs to halt progression of Covid-19-mediated lung damage and death."
Tiziana shares were trading 20% higher at 59.90 pence each on Monday afternoon in London.
By Ife Taiwo; ifetaiwo@alliancenews.com
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