Sick of Jabs and Rebounds - Breakthrough Antiviral Flushes Out Multiple Viruses
When you hear the phrase "broad spectrum antiviral" your mind immediately recognizes it as an antiviral capable of treating a number of virus types. The lingo just sounds right, but the reality of the situation is that it's a phrase similar to one you are certain you've heard before; however, the truth of the matter is that you are probably confusing it with the term "broad spectrum antibiotic." Breaking news shows that there is a new broad-spectrum antiviral in clinical trials demonstrating a paradigm-changing approach to drug development that is flying below the radar. It might be out of reach of the United States and on its way to India for approval.
Broad-spectrum antibiotics target Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Examples of broad-spectrum antibiotics are azithromycin, amoxicillin, tetracycline, and quinolones. Penicillin isn’t on the list because it primarily targets Gram-positive bacteria. More than 100 antibiotics are in use today and the majority are highly specialized that target things like strep throat, ear infection, urinary tract infection, pimples, and pneumonia. Unfortunately, antibiotics do not work on viruses and there are technically no approved broad spectrum antivirals in widespread use today. That means as a society we accept the idea that there is often little we can do to combat novel viruses except let them run their course in the destruction of human life. COVID-19 has transformed into an endemic problem just like influenza with no robust long-term solutions resulting in the eradication of the disease.
No Magic Bullet
The current crop of antivirals doesn't have “the magic bullet” capability that can search and destroy any invaders. This magic bullet concept dates back to the early 1900’s and can be traced to German Nobel Laureate Paul Ehrlich. He thought he could make a drug that could hit a specific microbe without harming the body. Penicillin was the first molecule to validate the magic bullet concept with Dr. Alexander Fleming's penicillin discovery in 1928. After penicillin, there have been a number of drugs in the past century that get close to that mythical magic bullet status. Aspirin, for example, is one of the most widely used drugs. In recent history, monoclonal antibodies like Humira have captured the limelight for a wide range of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. However, antivirals are often very specific to the viral target and don't readily cross over into other viral diseases.
Over the past 50 years, close to 100 antivirals have been approved, but most are designed to specifically treat HIV, Influenza, or Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The existing paradigm in virology is “One Bug, One Drug” which means the antiviral drugs don't work outside the disease for which they were intended. One potential exception is Paxlovid’s 3CL protease inhibitor which may show activity on other noroviruses and coronaviruses, but even then it’s really not a very broad spectrum solution with distinguishing elements.
From Bacteria To Viruses
Bacterial infections were the primary cause of death in the 20th century, but in the 21st century viruses have taken over the top position due to large increases in COVID-19 and Influenza deaths. Antibiotics generally do a great job of controlling bacterial infections, but effective antivirals have been elusive. The most prescribed antiviral during COVID-19 was Paxlovid and there are many reports that over 50% of patients had viral rebounds. In terms of effectiveness, Paxlovid has been an epic disappointment when compared to its expectations.
A New Shot at a Magic Bullet
The clinical trial results released from a small biotech called Bioxytran, recently demonstrated broad-spectrum antiviral activity in their leading molecule. ProLectin-M is an experimental Phase 3 ready antiviral drug that stops viral entry of SARS-CoV-2. The robust phase 2 clinical trial results showed 100% PCR negative test rate in COVID-19 patients by day 7 versus only 6% in the placebo group. A 100% responders rate is very rare and was last seen in 2013 after Gilead Sciences announced clinical trial results from their Harvoini trial for Hepatitis C virus. The real story lies in the 3-day data, which showed a 88% PCR negative test rate versus 0% in the placebo group. When a majority of the patients no longer have any evidence of COVID in just 3 days without any evidence of viral rebounds, it's safe to start thinking of scenarios that could end the pandemic permanently.
The most prescribed antiviral for COVID-19 is Paxlovid. Many may not realize that Paxlovid was approved based on an 89% reduction in hospitalization over placebo. The viral loads that lead to rebounds and long-term infectiousness after taking the drug were downplayed. The new narrative centered around lowering the hospitalization rate for patients. Paxlovid is not as efficacious in practice, in real-world studies the drug showed a 30% PCR negative test rate for COVID-19 by day 20. This means that 70% of the people that took Paxlovid were walking around spreading the disease for 20 days. Compare that scenario to a majority of the patients who took ProLectin-M who were COVID-19-free in 3 days.
Fighting the Virus Outside the Cell - Barring Entry
Most antivirals work by stopping the replication of the virus once inside the cell. The mechanism of action of this new class of broad-spectrum antivirals is entry inhibition. It is designed to latch on to entry proteins like the spike proteins, thereby neutralizing the virus's ability to enter the cell. The carbohydrate drug acts as a swiffer picking up virions throughout the body and neutralizing them before they are filtered out by the liver with the virus in tow.
Since the experimental drug worked so well in COVID-19, Bioxytran expanded its in vitro testing to include Influenza (H1N1) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Test results revealed activity in both viruses which means ProLectin-M could be a tripledemic drug. The drug is currently being evaluated in clinical trials throughout India.
For the past three years, countless scientists have been evaluating treatment options for COVID-19. Much effort was spent on researching repurposed drugs with the idea that they could end up with a broad-spectrum antiviral. Unfortunately, no broad-spectrum antivirals emerged during the pandemic. Now that the pandemic is coming to a close, there is one notable exception, ProLectin-M. It’s a proven broad-spectrum antiviral very close to a pivotal trial. The spectacular clinical trial results of 100% viral elimination earn it a place in the COVID narrative, but unfortunately, there is no fanfare to greet it. The lack of enthusiasm could eventually stunt its development pathway here in the United States and force it to pursue financing in India.
New Antiviral Drug Discovery Platform
During the discovery of ProLectin-M, Bioxytran figured out a methodology to custom tailor new carbohydrate drugs to treat other viruses by targeting different galectin signatures related to the virus. Much of the methodology is chronicled in the latest pre-print that explains how the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Imaging was used to prove binding to the spike protein.
Real Solutions Coming Soon
Readers should aggressively spread the word and pay attention to this technology to make sure it gains awareness and is commercialized. The lack of attention on this topic could lead to a world filled with endless jabs, subpar therapeutics, and more Long COVID. The best way to stop Long COVID is through prevention and never letting it start. If anyone is interested in changing the narrative and not losing this precious national treasure to the Indian government then they should spread the word until there is enough of a movement to justify major media coverage. We have a chance to finally break the “One Bug, One Drug” paradigm and usher in more effective and safe broad spectrum antivirals. What say you? Please share virally unless, of course, you like needles.
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