The latest Investing Matters Podcast episode featuring Jeremy Skillington, CEO of Poolbeg Pharma has just been released. Listen here.
A large-scale trial of a new treatment it is hoped will help stop Covid-19 patients from developing severe illness has begun in the UK.
The first patient received the treatment at Hull Royal Infirmary on Tuesday afternoon.
It involves inhaling a protein called interferon beta which the body produces when it gets a viral infection.
The hope is it will stimulate the immune system, priming cells to be ready to fight off viruses.
Early findings suggested the treatment cut the odds of a Covid-19 patient in hospital developing severe disease - such as requiring ventilation - by almost 80%.
It was developed at Southampton University Hospital and is being produced by the Southampton-based biotech company, Synairgen.
A course of treatment with the new drug could cost around £2,000, which is not that expensive for a hospital treatment.
"To be viable it will have to represent good value for money," Synairgen's chief executive Richard Marsden said.
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Alexandra Constantin, 34, was the first person to receive the treatment as part of this new trial, after she was admitted to the hospital with coronavirus on Monday.
She has a young daughter at home she is desperate to get back to.
Demonstrating the treatment, the nurse handed her a nebuliser that makes the drug into a fine mist, which Alexandra inhaled as deep into her lungs as she could.
Alexandra Constantin
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How does the treatment work?
Interferon beta is part of the body's first line of defence against viruses, warning it to expect a viral attack.
The coronavirus seems to suppress its production as part of its strategy to evade our immune systems.
The new drug is a special formulation of interferon beta delivered directly to the airways via a nebuliser which makes the protein into an aerosol.
The idea is that a direct dose of the protein in the lungs will trigger a stronger anti-viral response, even in patients whose immune systems are already weak.
Interferon beta is commonly used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Previous clinical trials conducted by Synairgen have shown that it can stimulate an immune response and that patients with asthma and other chronic lung conditions can comfortably tolerate the treatment.
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The results of a smaller, phase two clinical trial of the treatment conducted last year were promising.
It suggested the chances of a Covid-19 patient in hospital getting severe disease - requiring ventilation, for example - were reduced by almost 80%.
Patients were two to three times more likely to recover to the point where everyday activities were not compromised by their illness, Synairgen claimed.
It said the trial also indicated "very significant" reductions in breathlessness among patients who received the treatment.
In addition, the average time patients spent in hospital is said to have been reduced by a th
Seeing my investment drop over £50,000. is painful. Reading all these posts about face masks, clothing etc is even more frustrating when we should be looking for the bigger picture or should I say structure, Railway Arch comes to mind.
I like so many others were well up when the “good news broke” took my eye of the ball and got well and truly stuffed.
I hope long terms holders do well but I got out with a small lose.
Nothing else to say other than be careful.
I know this isn’t the right forum for this but wanted to mention my friend had his Lexus stolen from Chandler’s Ford in the week, possibly fob cloned in Tesco car park apparently he did notice four people just sat in a car using an electronic device.
It seems two other cars were stolen that night in Chandler’s Ford and Eastleigh.
Now back to SNG, let’s all hope for big news as a LTH.
It’s like New Years Eve GLA
With the Government spending nearly £500 million electrifying the route from Manchester to Leeds could we see the “Arch” coming to fruition, just a thought.
Bobby, firstly I am invested here and wait with anticipation as to which way it will go.
I, unlike some have enjoyed your postings and look forward to the next one, that said
when this finalises one way or another will you then come clean and explain what your
continued interest was all about.
Have a good weekend one and all.
I have read your post several times and I’m sorry to say I have no idea what your point is, can you please elaborate your understanding of my post.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pocV0wKzEw
The Impact of Graphene
Why is it that so many Buys are show as Sells? Surely it can’t be that difficult to report correctly.
Signed.
Interesting, made me think how the monopolies commission won’t allow certain takeovers but who controls the EU as far as controlling (through the Euro) other countries. Standardising different currencies is a bad choice, at least we kept the pound.
Not sure you’re the first person to work that out.
As can happen just bought 7978 shares at 1106 showing as a sell ! Can be very misleading for some.