BIT Discussion 2022
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- Start date
Moosey
Emerged
Yes I have shares in Biotron, they have a drug called BIT225, it was a drug invented to cure HIV, today's HIV people have the disease for life but it is treatable using drugs, but they are on them for life,this may be a reason why the big Pharma's don't want it? they already make a MOTZA on selling drugs now, one that cures HIV will stop that lucrative trade, they also looked at a treatment for SARS in the early days, which is very similar to Covid19, they tested it in mice for Covid19 late last year with very good results on the Delta strain 99.9% effective! they are doing Human trials now I believe?
BIOTRON DRUG EFFECTIVE AGAINST COVID-19 IN ANIMALS
BIT225 administered orally significantly reduced viral load in the lungs and blood
of animals challenged with SARS-CoV-2.
BIT225 protected against severe disease, indicated by the significant prevention of
body weight loss in animals treated with BIT225 compared to non-treated
controls.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines were also significantly reduced in the lungs and blood
of BIT225 treated animals compared with controls. Raised pro-inflammatory
cytokines are associated with severe illness in people with COVID-19. Eliminating
the “cytokine storm” is essential for successful treatment.
The results show statistically and clinically significant efficacy of BIT225 in this
model of COVID-19.
In a cell culture in vitro study BIT225 was active against the highly infectious delta
variant of SARS-CoV-2, reducing the level of virus by more than 99.99%
compared to controls.
BIT225 is a clinical stage drug in development for treatment of HIV-1, with over
200 people dosed in trials to date. It is an oral drug, suitable for once-a-day dosing
and has a well characterised safety profile. Biotron Limited is now seeking to
accelerate BIT225 into clinical trials in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients.
2
The Directors of Biotron Limited (ASX: BIT) are pleased to announce that the Company’s lead
clinical asset, BIT225, has demonstrated substantial and clinically meaningful efficacy against
SARS-CoV-2 in a series of animal and cell-based studies performed at The SCRIPPS Research
Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
BIT225 was tested in a COVID-19 mouse model (K18-hACE2). These mice have been
engineered to be infectable by SARS-CoV-2 which then produces a range of pathologies
including pulmonary disease. This model is routinely used to assess the ability of drugs to
target SARS-CoV-2 and treat COVID-19 disease.
The study in the COVID mice showed that BIT225 given orally (by mouth) significantly
reduced virus load in the lungs of treated mice when compared with control mice that were
given drug-free control material (known as vehicle control). There was also a reduction in
virus in the blood. The reduction in virus was dose-dependent - i.e. reduction in viral load was
greater at the higher dose.
Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (‘cytokine storm’) are linked to severe illness
and death in people infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. Controlling this cytokine storm is
essential for successful treatment of COVID-19.
BIT225 significantly reduced all assayed pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines,
including IL-6, IL-1, IL-1, TNF-, TGF- and MCP-1, in the lungs and blood of BIT225-
treated mice compared to control mice.
During the course of infection with SARS-CoV-2, K18 mice generally develop severe disease
that is reflected in the loss of body weight. The animals treated with BIT225 did not lose
weight throughout the study and, in fact, significantly increased their weight in line with growth
expectations of the age of the animals.
The impact of BIT225 on the proinflammatory cytokines and on overall health, indicated by
preventing loss of body weight, indicates clinically significant benefit of BIT225.
In addition to the in vivo animal study, BIT225 was tested in an in vitro study in cell cultures
to assess the ability of the drug to inhibit the highly infectious delta strain. The data showed
that BIT225 reduced the delta virus in the cell cultures by more than 99.99% (over 4 logs
reduction).
The in vivo study demonstrates that BIT225 is highly effective antiviral agent and protects
the animals from severe disease. The in vitro study demonstrates that BIT225 is also
active against the highly infectious delta strain of SARS-CoV-2.
BIT225 belongs to a new class of antiviral drugs known as viroporin inhibitors. It targets key
viral-encoded proteins known as viroporins that are central to establishing and maintaining
infections through modulation of the body’s immune system.
BIT225 is Biotron’s lead antiviral clinical-stage, investigational, small molecule antiviral drug.
It is an oral drug, suitable for once-a-day dosing and has a well characterised safety profile.
The drug has been evaluated in nine clinical trials involving healthy volunteers, patients with
HIV-1 infection, patients co-infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV-1 and patients
with HCV (as monotherapy and in combination with pegylated interferon-alfa and ribavirin).
Formal pre-clinical studies have assessed safety over 24 weeks of dosing
Recently the Company commenced two Phase 2 HIV-1 trials in Australia and Thailand to
assess the impact of BIT225 on the HIV-1 reservoir and key markers of improved health
outcomes.
Biotron is now in discussions with its USA advisors and consultants to expedite progression of
BIT225 into human trials for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The Company has sufficient
drug product on hand after recently completing the manufacture of several kilograms of
additional clinical grade (cGMP) drug.
The Chair of Biotron’s Scientific Advisory Board, Professor Rob Murphy, Professor of
Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, John P. Phair Professor of Infectious Diseases at
Northwestern University, Chicago, said, “These very encouraging results in a SARS-CoV-2
animal model demonstrate a robust antiviral response that justifies further study in humans.
BIT225 is a novel antiviral drug that has been safely used in over 200 patients with other RNA
viral diseases including HIV and hepatitis C. This is drug that should be studied as a COVID-
19 treatment in the very near future.”
Biotron’s Managing Director, Michelle Miller, said “These results suggest that BIT225 may
have benefit over other known antiviral agents. We will actively pursue all avenues to progress
this Biotron drug into human trials as quickly as possible.”
Experimental details and results are set out in an Addendum below.
This announcement has been approved for release by the Company’s Managing Director.
But seeing as how the drug has already been tested in HIV patients beforehand gives me great confidence that it will walk through the Covid stuff much easier? they say they are talking to prospective Bio companies now?
If it comes off? as a cure for Covid and one that improves the Immune system as well? then instead of a bi annual vax yoy then the writing is on the wall IMHO! they also seem to think it may even work on the "INFLUENZA virus?"
So maybe it could be the end of the yearly jab.
Been a long time coming but anything worthwhile takes time.
Stockness Monster!
stocknessmonster.com
BIT225 administered orally significantly reduced viral load in the lungs and blood
of animals challenged with SARS-CoV-2.
BIT225 protected against severe disease, indicated by the significant prevention of
body weight loss in animals treated with BIT225 compared to non-treated
controls.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines were also significantly reduced in the lungs and blood
of BIT225 treated animals compared with controls. Raised pro-inflammatory
cytokines are associated with severe illness in people with COVID-19. Eliminating
the “cytokine storm” is essential for successful treatment.
The results show statistically and clinically significant efficacy of BIT225 in this
model of COVID-19.
In a cell culture in vitro study BIT225 was active against the highly infectious delta
variant of SARS-CoV-2, reducing the level of virus by more than 99.99%
compared to controls.
BIT225 is a clinical stage drug in development for treatment of HIV-1, with over
200 people dosed in trials to date. It is an oral drug, suitable for once-a-day dosing
and has a well characterised safety profile. Biotron Limited is now seeking to
accelerate BIT225 into clinical trials in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients.
2
The Directors of Biotron Limited (ASX: BIT) are pleased to announce that the Company’s lead
clinical asset, BIT225, has demonstrated substantial and clinically meaningful efficacy against
SARS-CoV-2 in a series of animal and cell-based studies performed at The SCRIPPS Research
Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
BIT225 was tested in a COVID-19 mouse model (K18-hACE2). These mice have been
engineered to be infectable by SARS-CoV-2 which then produces a range of pathologies
including pulmonary disease. This model is routinely used to assess the ability of drugs to
target SARS-CoV-2 and treat COVID-19 disease.
The study in the COVID mice showed that BIT225 given orally (by mouth) significantly
reduced virus load in the lungs of treated mice when compared with control mice that were
given drug-free control material (known as vehicle control). There was also a reduction in
virus in the blood. The reduction in virus was dose-dependent - i.e. reduction in viral load was
greater at the higher dose.
Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (‘cytokine storm’) are linked to severe illness
and death in people infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. Controlling this cytokine storm is
essential for successful treatment of COVID-19.
BIT225 significantly reduced all assayed pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines,
including IL-6, IL-1, IL-1, TNF-, TGF- and MCP-1, in the lungs and blood of BIT225-
treated mice compared to control mice.
During the course of infection with SARS-CoV-2, K18 mice generally develop severe disease
that is reflected in the loss of body weight. The animals treated with BIT225 did not lose
weight throughout the study and, in fact, significantly increased their weight in line with growth
expectations of the age of the animals.
The impact of BIT225 on the proinflammatory cytokines and on overall health, indicated by
preventing loss of body weight, indicates clinically significant benefit of BIT225.
In addition to the in vivo animal study, BIT225 was tested in an in vitro study in cell cultures
to assess the ability of the drug to inhibit the highly infectious delta strain. The data showed
that BIT225 reduced the delta virus in the cell cultures by more than 99.99% (over 4 logs
reduction).
The in vivo study demonstrates that BIT225 is highly effective antiviral agent and protects
the animals from severe disease. The in vitro study demonstrates that BIT225 is also
active against the highly infectious delta strain of SARS-CoV-2.
BIT225 belongs to a new class of antiviral drugs known as viroporin inhibitors. It targets key
viral-encoded proteins known as viroporins that are central to establishing and maintaining
infections through modulation of the body’s immune system.
BIT225 is Biotron’s lead antiviral clinical-stage, investigational, small molecule antiviral drug.
It is an oral drug, suitable for once-a-day dosing and has a well characterised safety profile.
The drug has been evaluated in nine clinical trials involving healthy volunteers, patients with
HIV-1 infection, patients co-infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV-1 and patients
with HCV (as monotherapy and in combination with pegylated interferon-alfa and ribavirin).
Formal pre-clinical studies have assessed safety over 24 weeks of dosing
Recently the Company commenced two Phase 2 HIV-1 trials in Australia and Thailand to
assess the impact of BIT225 on the HIV-1 reservoir and key markers of improved health
outcomes.
Biotron is now in discussions with its USA advisors and consultants to expedite progression of
BIT225 into human trials for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The Company has sufficient
drug product on hand after recently completing the manufacture of several kilograms of
additional clinical grade (cGMP) drug.
The Chair of Biotron’s Scientific Advisory Board, Professor Rob Murphy, Professor of
Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, John P. Phair Professor of Infectious Diseases at
Northwestern University, Chicago, said, “These very encouraging results in a SARS-CoV-2
animal model demonstrate a robust antiviral response that justifies further study in humans.
BIT225 is a novel antiviral drug that has been safely used in over 200 patients with other RNA
viral diseases including HIV and hepatitis C. This is drug that should be studied as a COVID-
19 treatment in the very near future.”
Biotron’s Managing Director, Michelle Miller, said “These results suggest that BIT225 may
have benefit over other known antiviral agents. We will actively pursue all avenues to progress
this Biotron drug into human trials as quickly as possible.”
Experimental details and results are set out in an Addendum below.
This announcement has been approved for release by the Company’s Managing Director.
But seeing as how the drug has already been tested in HIV patients beforehand gives me great confidence that it will walk through the Covid stuff much easier? they say they are talking to prospective Bio companies now?
If it comes off? as a cure for Covid and one that improves the Immune system as well? then instead of a bi annual vax yoy then the writing is on the wall IMHO! they also seem to think it may even work on the "INFLUENZA virus?"
So maybe it could be the end of the yearly jab.
Been a long time coming but anything worthwhile takes time.
Last edited:
Moosey
Emerged
COVID-19 Genetic Risk Variant Inherited From Neanderthals Protects Against HIV
A COVID-19 risk variant inherited from Neanderthals reduces a person’s risk of contracting HIV by 27 percent. Some people become seriously ill when infected with SARS-CoV-2 while others have only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. In addition to risk factors such as advanced age and chronic dis
scitechdaily.com
Health News
COVID-19 Genetic Risk Variant Inherited From Neanderthals Protects Against HIV
TOPICS:COVID-19EvolutionGeneticsHIVInfectious DiseasesMax Planck InstituteNeanderthalsBy Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology February 21, 2022
DNA analytics in the lab. Credit: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
A COVID-19 risk variant inherited from Neanderthals reduces a person’s risk of contracting HIV by 27 percent.
Some people become seriously ill when infected with SARS-CoV-2 while others have only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. In addition to risk factors such as advanced age and chronic diseases, like diabetes, our genetic heritage also contributes to our individual COVID-19 severity risk.
In the autumn of 2020, Hugo Zeberg at Karolinska Institutet and MPI-EVA and Svante Pääbo at MPI-EVA showed that we inherited the major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 from Neanderthals. In the spring of 2021, the same researcher duo studied this variant in ancient human DNA and observed that its frequency has increased significantly since the last ice age. In fact, it has become unexpectedly common for a genetic variant inherited from Neanderthals. Hence, it may have had a favorable impact on its carriers in the past. “This major genetic risk factor for COVID-19 is so common that I started wondering whether it might actually be good for something, such as providing protection against another infectious disease,” says Hugo Zeberg, who is the sole author of the new study in PNAS.
The genetic risk factor is located in a region on chromosome 3 that consists of many genes. There are several genes in its vicinity that encode receptors in the immune system. One of these receptors – CCR5 – is used by the HIV virus to infect white blood cells. Zeberg found that people who carried the risk factor for COVID-19 had fewer CCR5 receptors. This led him to test whether they also had a lower risk of becoming infected with HIV. By analyzing patient data from three major biobanks (FinnGen, UK Biobank and Michigan Genomic Initiative) he found that carriers of the risk variant for COVID-19 had a 27 percent lower risk of contracting HIV. “This shows how a genetic variant can be both good and bad news: Bad news if a person contracts COVID-19, good news because it offers protection against getting infected with HIV,” says Zeberg.
However, since HIV only arose during the 20th century, protection against this infectious disease cannot explain why the genetic risk variant for COVID-19 became so common among humans as early as 10,000 years ago. “Now we know that this risk variant for COVID-19 provides protection against HIV. But it was probably protection against yet another disease that increased its frequency after the last ice age,” Zeberg concludes.
Reference: “The major genetic risk factor for severe COVID-19 is associated with protection against HIV” 21 February 2022, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2116435119
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