It’s World Health Day—a reminder of why we do what we do, and why it’s important to collaborate with our colleagues around the world. Here’s a look at what some of our colleagues in the UK are working on.
Synairgen, a small respiratory drug biotech in the UK,is starting the clinical trial on an antiviral drug showing promise in improving the lung function of patients with COVID-19.
Hey, we know them! Synairgen is a member of the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA), BIO’s British sister association—and BIA’s CEO, Steve Bates, is Chair of the International Council of Biotech Associations (ICBA), the coalition of biotechnology trade associations around the world.
The drug is a formulation of interferon beta—a protein that “orchestrates the body’s antiviral responses.” In previous trials, it improved lung function in patients with asthma and respiratory viruses, and has shown promise against MERS-CoV, an infection similar to COVID-19, according to Synairgen’s press release.
The Phase II trial will start imminently—and it is part of the world’s largest randomized trial of potential coronavirus treatments, with 1,000 patients across the UK.
Joe’s World: This World Health Day, we’re thinking about nurses and other medical professionals caring for COVID-19 patients in the United States and around the world. It’s a reminder of why we do what we do—and why it’s more important than ever to put aside our individual interests and collaborate with colleagues globally on treatments, vaccines, and diagnostics for this deadly disease. We salute our colleagues at Synairgen, BIA, and ICBA on this important development, and we look forward to continued collaboration across companies and across borders. – Joe Damond, BIO’s Executive Vice President for International Affairs
For more information on our international collaborative efforts, visit www.internationalbiotech.org.
For more information on what BIO and our members are doing to fight COVID-19, visit www.bio.org/coronavirus.
More Health Care News:
The Washington Times (Opinion): How the public sector is working with private firms to fight COVID-19
“Public health crises require an all-hands-on-deck approach. We can’t afford to have scientists working in isolation. That’s why the public-private cooperation highlighted at BIO’s summit was such an inspiration,” writes Peter J. Pitts, President and Co-Founder of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest.
Morning Consult (Opinion): How the Bayh-Dole Act Facilitates Development of Coronavirus Therapies
“As the urgency of finding a treatment and vaccine for the coronavirus accelerates, dozens of American biomedical companies, startups and universities are rushing to develop COVID-19 therapeutics. There’s a good chance the Bayh-Dole Act will play a critical behind-the-scenes role in facilitating these efforts.”
Biopharma Dive: GSK bets $250M on Vir's antibody approach to treating coronavirus
“Through the deal, GSK, one of the biggest vaccine manufacturers in the world, will gain access to Vir's technology for identifying drug targets common to viral families, like the coronavirus grouping of which SARS-CoV-2 is a part.”
On Bloomberg’s Balance of Power, BIO’s Jim Greenwood discussed the incredible work happening in labs across the country and highlighted the tremendous investments being made to combat the novel coronavirus. Watch the segment here: https://bit.ly/39R13dJ
