Member Info for Tim45

At 4pm GMT today. Who knows, but always worth keeping an eye on.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

Did you think that I thought ACTIV-2 is a treatment? I was just mimicking Bethel!

Ooops, sorry Matterhorn, my error.

My reply just now to Philip Bath, copying (as he did) Profs Whitty and Gordon. No reason not to keep these emails respectful and reasoned. Who knows, let's keep SNG001 on EVERYONE'S's
radar:
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Dear Philip,

Thank you very much for answering my email so swiftly – even on a Sunday! But then, this awful situation has no weekends …

Although it is already well-advanced in its own Phase 3 trials, I do hope that SNG001 will be considered for inclusion.

Who knows what range benefits inhaled beta interferon 1b may deliver – the current Phase 3 trial for hospitalised patients has, as additional end points, assessment of patient condition at 60 and 90 days, ie: measuring ‘long COVID’ symptoms, versus the placebo group.

Since children (with their high natural levels in the lungs of protective interferon) are far less likely to contract COVID-19, perhaps PROTECT-CH may demonstrate that a vulnerable elderly person, whose lungs have been saturated with SNG001, turns out less likely to contract the virus, regardless of its mutation?

I will keep an eye on the web site for news.

Kind regards,

A response almost immediately from Philip Bath:

Dear xxx,

Thanks. The agent or agents to be tested in PROTECT-CH are currently in discussion by UK-CTAP, NIHR POG and by the CMO. We will keep the trial’s website up to date with any news as to what will be tested once this is decided: https://www.protect-trial.net/

All the best,

Philip

I have emailed Professors Chris Whitty, Adam Gordon and Philip Bath, all involved in this trial.
I know it's probably too late in the day (plus all the usual vested interests), what with all the progess we are making without UK support, but it makes me feel better ...
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Gentlemen,

I have just read about the ‘Protect-CH’ trial to be conducted urgently in UK care homes, as outlined on the NIHR web site.

This is excellent news but am I correct in assuming that the inhaled beta interferon drug SNG001 (developed by British company Synairgen) will be among the drugs in this trial? I am not aware of any other anti-viral treatment that has returned such outstanding, peer-reviewed Phase 2 trial results as SNG001. (The Lancet: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(20)30511-7/fulltext)

The argument for SNG001 inclusion seems to be extremely powerful:

1. A UK ‘Home Trial’ of SNG001 was fully subscribed last month, the world’s first self-administered, early intervention COVID treatment

2. A Phase 3 trial with 620 hospitalised patients across 20 countries is recruiting

3. The US government has added SNG001 to its state-funded, placebo-controlled ACTIV-2 trial for ‘at home’ treatment of 220 people. This is only the third drug to be added to this trial.

The lack, or the virus-induced suppression of, interferon in the lungs is now widely accepted by scientists as a major factor in the progression of COVID-19 from mild to serious. It is also effective against current and future mutations.

Whereas I accept there is currently no evidence that SNG001 prevents a healthy person from contracting this virus, what better opportunity could there be for you to safely test this?

The inclusion of SNG001 in the ‘Protect-CH’ trial I believe would advance our understanding of the novel role of inhaled interferon as a preventative drug, potentially providing the UK, already showing the way on vaccines, with a world ‘first’.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Kind regards,

Great stuff Enrico! Keep ‘em coming.

Weill since over 30% of all UK COVID deaths have been in care homes, and NIHR are funding it, why would it not be valuable additional data? As well as saving more lives?

Sunday Times today - https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/new-trial-to-test-drugs-for-preventing-covid-19-in-care-homes/26684

No mention of which drug is to be trialed as an inhalation. Recruiting now. This is exactly where SNG001 should be included as well as our P3. I'll email them now. Lord Bethel is quoted so perhaps ACTIV-2 will be one of the drugs?

Sorry all ... they are covering vaccines, testing and PPE production.

Bump up ... although may only be discussing the shape and colour of face masks.

Streaming today at 4pm GMT on: https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

Will he ...?

Hanoihank - I'm sorry, forgot to thank you for this terrific find! It's this sort of work that makes this board (usually) a really valuable place.

Bethel said: "We need a plan B, which might be dependent on antivirals as an ALTERNATIVE (my caps) way of managing the disease."

Doesn't this illustrate the government's totally false perception of the role of therapeutics? They will always be needed IN ADDITION to vaccines to treat those who fall ill for any reason from COVID-19 ... virus mutations, people vulnerable through compromised immune systems, those who chose not to be vaccinated, etc, etc.

Press Briefing by White House COVID-19 Response Team and Public Health

https://www.whitehouse.gov/live/

Will they or won't they?

Except that back in October I had explained in detail to my MP Greg Clark (who was present in that committee meeting) what had happened regarding the RECOVERY trial, plus a summary of sng001's progress. There was no excuse.

As I had emailed to Jeremy Hunt this week (extract from my Monday post entitled 'Reply from Jeremy Hunt):

"I believe that your all-party committee meeting failed in its duty to properly reveal the complete picture regarding the most promising treatments for COVID-19.

Specifically, I would like to see the principal witness, Professor Peter Horby, recalled to answer this question:

“Are you aware of any treatment that has the potential to halt the progress of COVID-19 and all future mutations in infected patients? A straight answer please, Professor Horby.”

The expression 'cost effective' that he uses is totally meaningless unless set in the context of other costs from NOT having a treatment. Versus Aspirin? Terrible value. Compared to the cost of spending days/weeks in ITU? Incredibly cost effective. What a blinkered view.

Thanks cjulien - Synairgen not mentioned today - vaccines and testing covered. Next briefing is on Wednesday so maybe ...

Mact4 - Peter Horby was the principal scientific witness called before the 'Health & Social Care' Committee meeting held on November 4th. It was chaired by Jeremy Hunt. Interferons were never mentioned, by anyone.

See my thread: 'Reply from Jeremy Hunt'.

My reply continued ...

In the two months since I wrote to you, much has happened. Synairgen and its treatment have moved past the point at which UK government support would have accelerated trials and deployment and possibly have save many lives.

You may be aware that:
1. In January, the company-funded ‘Home Trial’ of SNG001 dosed its last UK patient. Target was 120 patients. This trial is a globally revolutionary example of exploiting ‘tele-medicine’ to conduct testing, delivery of the equipment and drug and remote daily video guidance and patient assessment by a nurse. The whole operation completed without the patient ever leaving home, without medical staff having to visit and using a simple nebuliser.

2. A 600 patient, double-blinded, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial across 20 countries administered its first UK dose to a UK hospital patient last month.

3. The US government’s ‘Warp Speed’ programme has now added SNG001 to its list of funded and supported treatments, only the third drug to receive this highly significant vote of confidence. This trial is only single-blinded so the results will be monitored incrementally.

I believe my government has let us down in (for some reason) choosing to ignore or sideline SNG001.

You may have read this morning’s article by Professor Sir Stephen Holgate, published in the Financial Times. The letter perfectly describes the role that inhaled interferon beta should be playing in reducing the terrible toll of COVID-19. I include his letter below.

So, I ask you again: when will our government finally stand up and acknowledge the existence of a broad spectrum, safe treatment for COVID-19?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,