Guardian25 Jan 2021 21:45
UK Covid respiratory treatment trials funded by US government
Congratulations to Synairgen. This Aim-listed company, a spin-out from Southampton University, has secured government funding for expanded clinical trials on a potential respiratory treatment for Covid patients not yet requiring hospitalisation.
The surprise is over the identity of the government. It’s the US healthcare agencies that are interested in the possible new application of a drug that is used already for multiple sclerosis patients. The partnership is under the US “Operation Warp Speed” programme. Synairgen’s shares, which had had a good run already, rose 10%.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2021/jan/25/online-brands-are-making-a-clean-sweep-in-the-great-retail-carve-up
Synairgen says it regularly updates the department of health in the UK on progress, which is why it’s odd the US seems keener to back more research. Maybe the department has its reasons but, if so, it’s not sharing them. Covid treatments are needed in addition to vaccines, the medical community says. It would be embarrassing if this homegrown treatment succeeds because of US public money.