Biotron files SARS therapeutic patent

Researchers at Biotron have filed a patent covering the blocking of specific ion channel activity formed within the E protein of the SARS virus, offering a potentially new treatment for the disease.

SARS, a coronavirus respiratory syndrome with a death rate of almost 10 per cent, has proved particularly difficult to treat as the lung damage resulting from the viral infection is often sufficiently severe that it leads to adult respiratory distress disorder (ARDD), which can often demand external breathing assistance to keep the patient alive.

Biotron claimed to be the first to report that the coronavirus E protein forms an ion channel, and indicated that it would be investigating the use of ion channel targeting to inhibit viral replication and thus stop the spread of the virus.

The company's technology, dubbed Virion, has previously been targeted on HIV-1 and hepatitis C viruses, but the new findings will mean an extension of the existing platform to cover SARS.

The news boosted the company's share price (ASX: BIT) to AUD$0.42 at press time.