- Clinical-stage pharma stock Theralase Technologies (TSXV:TLT) announced a significant breakthrough in the treatment of Herpes Simplex Viruses (HSV)
- Independent research conducted at the University of Manitoba has demonstrated that non-light activated Ruvidar is significantly more effective in inactivating HSV post-infection compared to the current gold standard treatment
- A growing number of anti-viral agents have been developed, but resistance can develop rapidly due to the high replication rate and lack of genome proof-reading in many viruses
- Theralase stock (TSXV:TLT) opened trading at $0.27
Clinical-stage pharma stock Theralase Technologies (TSXV:TLT) announced a significant breakthrough in the treatment of Herpes Simplex Viruses (HSV).
The research at a glance
Independent research conducted at the University of Manitoba has found that non-light activated Ruvidar is significantly more effective in inactivating HSV post-infection compared to the current gold standard treatment, acyclovir.
Infectious agents are responsible for millions of deaths annually. The most effective methods to combat infections include vaccines and anti-microbials. While vaccines are beneficial when administered prior to infection, antibiotics and anti-virals are crucial post-infection or before vaccine-induced immunity develops. However, vaccines require prior knowledge of the infectious agent and substantial time for production, which may not always match the circulating strain.
A growing number of anti-viral agents have been developed, but resistance can develop rapidly due to the high replication rate and lack of genome proof-reading in many viruses. HSV, which infects over 90 per cent of the human population and can establish lifelong latency, is currently treated with FDA-approved drugs like acyclovir and its derivatives, which inhibit viral DNA synthesis.
Leadership insights
Dr. Kevin Coombs, a professor of virology at the University of Manitoba (retired), previously demonstrated that Ruvidar could inhibit numerous pathogenic human viruses, both with and without light activation. In the latest experiments, Dr. Coombs evaluated Ruvidar’s ability to restrict HSV-1 replication in Vero cells, both alone and in combination with acyclovir, without light activation to mimic deep tissue application.
The results showed that Ruvidar successfully inhibited HSV-1 replication at significantly lower concentrations and more effectively than acyclovir alone. Dr. Coombs also discovered additive and synergistic anti-HSV-1 effects when Ruvidar was used in combination with acyclovir
“In my latest research, Ruvidar has been more effective than the gold standard acyclovir in the inactivation of HSV, post infection,” he stated in a media release. “Since the majority of the world population is currently infected with one form or another of HSV, Ruvidar could be game changing as a therapeutic in the treatment of HSV lesions.”
“Kevin’s work has been instrumental in helping to uncover the efficacy of Ruvidar in the inactivation of numerous enveloped and non-enveloped viruses,” Theralase’s chief scientific officer, Dr. Arkady Mandel, added. “This work will lay the groundwork for both vaccines and therapeutics in the inactivation of viruses that could be used as a platform to prevent and treat the next global pandemic.”
About Theralase
Theralase is developing light and/or radiation-activated compounds, associated drug formulations and the light systems that activate them to destroy various cancers, bacteria and viruses.
Theralase stock (TSXV:TLT) opened trading at $0.27 and has risen 35 per cent since February 2024.
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(Top photo: Theralase Technologies)
