Biotron (ASX:BIT) has announced its lead clinical drug BIT225 has demonstrated effective protection from severe disease in mice with established SARS-CoV-2 infection in a new animal study performed at The SCRIPPS Research Institute in the US.
Animals were dosed with BIT225 12 hours before infection with SARS-CoV-2. The company said the animals were infected with SARS-CoV-2 up to 48 hours before starting treatment with BIT225.
"This is a more challenging model and creates a high hurdle to demonstrate efficacy of the drug," it said, adding, the studies suggest BIT225 can both prevent and treat SARS-CoV-2 disease.
"The results from this new study are important as they show a clear clinical benefit for BIT225 regardless of time of commencement of treatment. We believe that BIT225's extended therapeutic protection window sets it apart from other approved or in-development agents and further strengthens our confidence in this valuable clinical asset," said Biotron managing director Michelle Miller.
