Theralase(R) Tech Effective for Virus Inactivation

June 4, 2024 / Theralase Technologies (TSXV:TLT)(OTCQB:TLTFF) has reported significant advancements in its lead compound, RuvidarTM, which has shown efficacy in inactivating various viruses. This discovery was made through collaborative research conducted at the University of Manitoba, involving Dr. Kevin Coombs' laboratory and the National Microbiology Laboratory alongside Theralase®.

The study revealed that RuvidarTM effectively inactivates both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses, demonstrating particularly impressive results when activated by light. The research findings were accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed journal Heliyon, a part of the Cell Press family known for its rigorous publishing standards.

A notable aspect of the research highlighted that RuvidarTM treatment left the spike proteins of coronaviruses intact, suggesting the compound's potential use in coronavirus vaccine development. Dr. Kevin Coombs, a Professor of Medical Microbiology at the University of Manitoba, expressed his enthusiasm about the results, noting that RuvidarTM was more potent than any antiviral compounds previously tested. Remarkably, RuvidarTM achieved virus inactivation at concentrations approximately 100 times lower than other compounds, targeting a range of viruses including H1N1 influenza, coronavirus, Zika, poxvirus, and herpes virus. Notably, RuvidarTM at 3 mM completely eradicated the herpes virus.

Dr. Arkady Mandel, Chief Scientific Officer at Theralase®, emphasized the significance of their publication in Heliyon, underscoring the years of research that validated RuvidarTM's effectiveness against numerous viruses, both with and without light activation. This milestone positions RuvidarTM as a promising antiviral platform for future vaccine development, pending further animal and toxicology testing. Dr. Mandel also mentioned that Theralase's Toronto lab will now focus on developing a topical treatment for herpes virus lesions using RuvidarTM.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2023, around 3.7 billion individuals under 50 years old globally had Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1), which primarily causes oral herpes. Additionally, approximately 491 million people aged 15 to 49 were reported to have Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2), the primary cause of genital herpes.

Roger DuMoulin-White, President and CEO of Theralase®, highlighted the broad potential applications of RuvidarTM, which has already shown efficacy in preclinical trials against bacteria and various cancers, including bladder cancer. He noted that based on the latest research, the company plans to shift focus from developing a Covid-19 vaccine to exploring RuvidarTM's potential in creating an avian influenza vaccine, in collaboration with the National Microbiology Laboratory.

The urgency of this research is underscored by a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study indicating a rise in avian influenza outbreaks and infections in animals and humans worldwide from 2013 to 2022. The study reports a significant spread of H5N1 bird flu in the U.S., with over 58.7 million poultry and 7,100 wild birds affected as of August 2023. Although the current risk to public health is considered low, the potential for human infection remains.

Theralase® Technologies Inc. specializes in developing light and radiation-activated small molecules aimed at safely and effectively destroying various cancers, bacteria, and viruses. The company's ongoing research and development efforts continue to focus on enhancing the efficacy and safety of these innovative treatments.

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