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Wiener rely on red algae for the Corona vaccine

It is not yet certain whether the product will work against the new corona virus. However, it helped against the closely related coronavirus type OC43.

Marinomed Biotech AG, which has been listed in Vienna since February 2019, expects the corona pandemic to generate a strong increase in demand for its active ingredient carragelose, which is derived from red algae and is used to treat viral infections of the respiratory tract and is available on the market in the form of nose and throat sprays.

“We do not yet know whether our product Carragelose is effective against the new coronavirus, but we have data against known coronaviruses, especially the close relatives, the type OC43 coronavirus,” said Marinomed CEO Andreas Grassauer on Thursday. “This is the closest relative you can currently find in the population.” This virus has infected large parts of the population, especially children, since the early 2000s. Perhaps that is why children are better protected against the new virus.

In studies conducted at the Vienna General Hospital and at the St. Anna Children’s Hospital, the effect of carragelose in the treatment of infections with rhinoviruses, influenza viruses and coronaviruses was compared and found that the duration of flu-like symptoms in coronaviruses increased by almost four days, Grassauer said. “No matter what virus you have, a carragelose nasal spray has dramatically reduced the symptoms.” However, the new virus has no clinical data yet, “it is still too short for that.”

Protective layer against viruses

Carragelose forms a protective layer that binds viruses and can thus prevent the infection of body cells. “This is not a vaccine and it is not a classic drug, but it has a broad physical effectiveness, which is very beneficial.” This year there is already a significantly increased demand for carragelose products as a result of the Sars-CoV-2 Pandemic registered, Grassauer reported. He assumes that the current corona pandemic will lead to a massive rethink. So far, the danger of influenza viruses has been downplayed.

Last year Marinomed, which was founded in 2006 as a spin-off from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, increased its sales by 31 percent to EUR 6.14 million. (APA)

(“Die Presse”, print edition, April 17th, 2020)

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