COVID-19 has produced some unusual claims from companies at the speculative end of the markets.

On Tuesday, biotech Starpharma pitched institutional investors at the Macquarie Australia Conference the efficacy of its SPL1703 gel ingredient as an antiviral agent in treating the coronavirus. There are claims now that lab tests of SPL7013 performed better than Gilead’s remdesivir in preventing SARS-CoV-2 viral infection.

Starpharma to develop COVID-19 treatment

Victoria, Australia-based StarPharma (OTCQX:SPHRY), seller of a lineup of women’s health products under the VivaGel brand, says the active ingredient, SPL7013, showed “significant activity” against SARS-CoV-2 in lab studies, subsequently validated by replicate testing against Gilead Sciences’ remdesivir (served as a positive control).

The company believes it can fast track development of SPL7013 for COVID-19 since it is already on the market in Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia and Southeast Asia.

Management boasts that “evidence suggests” the SPL1703 compound used in its VivaGel condom range could also inhibit the coronavirus across other product ranges. For the big institutional investors at the Macquarie conference a corona-fighting condom agent will be something, er, unique to mull over.

Starpharma hasn’t suggested sales will soar if users believe they can shield themselves from the coronavirus, but the company does want to fast-track clinical trials into the agent’s anti-coronavirus efficacy.

The market’s top fast-moving consumer goods investment analysts know that condoms are big business for brands like Ansell and Durex, as they can only be used once before being thrown away.

Its unusual business pivot ended up in shares being suspended between March 16 to April 2 while the ASX’s listings bots queried its claims that it had potentially discovered and patented an oral care product that could inhibit the coronavirus.

Starpharma’s boss is already pivoting into a number of coronavirus-related product opportunities for SPL1703 and it could still yet shock the market by making a profit one day.

What kind of COVID-19 products might incorporate SPL7013?

Given that there are at least 254 drug candidates for controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection, it will be some time before a useful drug is found and means for successful treatment is worked out. The thing that spotlights Starpharma’s SPL7013 and Gilead’s remdesivir is that both of these products have regulatory approval for other antiviral treatments in broad global markets. There is public interest in remdesivir, which if it proves to be useful, will most likely have a role in treating late stage COVID-19.

Starpharma’s SPL7013, which is approved in many countries (pending in the US), is a topical treatment which is relevant to sexually transmitted diseases (including against a number of human viruses that are problematic). In these applications the active ingredient is formulated for topical application in the vagina or as a condom coating. These uses for SPL7013 are as preventatives and also to stop early disease progression.

The way that SARS-CoV-2 gets into the body involves entry through the nose and eyes. The throat is another site of high viral concentration as the virus makes its way into the body. So formulating SPL7013 as a nasal spray, in eye drops and for inhalation to get into the throat, are 3 ways that prevention and an early barrier might work to stop COVID-19 in its tracks.

Starpharma has discussed these several possible means of delivering SPL7013 to counteract the SARS-CoV-2 virus. CEO Jackie Fairley indicated that the company is thinking about use of SPL7013 to help protect front line workers and individuals (e.g. people in a high risk category) seeking additional protection against infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes COVID-19.

Starpharma will conduct short-term preclinical studies, looking at delivery as a nasal spray, through inhalation and via eye drops. These routes of topical administration involve well worn treatments for allergic rhinitis, asthma etc. So it is a matter of adopting tried and true delivery technologies.

Since SPL7013 is already approved in many countries as a condom coating and for vaginal delivery, it is likely that regulatory approval should be able to be fast tracked, especially given the COVID emergency.

An important aspect of SARS-CoV-2 infection is that viral load is highest shortly after infection when the virus is found in the nasal passages and throat. So a product containing SLP7013 could be used either to block infection or as a first line of defence before the virus becomes more systemically found throughout the body. It might also be possible for SPL7013 to be considered for use in an enhanced disinfectant (e.g. handwash agent).

This speculation of vaccines and drug companies claims have been non-stop since the pandemic began. Trump and his allies were found to have a stake in promoting hydroxychloroquine so there are lots of players when it comes to lobbying for the right COVID-19 cocktail. Gilead Sciences is yet another corporation who has lobbyists in Washington D.C. to promote remdesivir above other drugs.