Researcher breakthrough / Here’s the drug that is expected to stop covid transmission forever

The first results of the study have already been published in the journal Pharmacological Research. The study is entirely Italian and, according to the Italian researcher in the Department of Pharmacology of “IT”, has started since the first blockage.

The study also included Paolo Ciana, professor of Pharmacology at the University of Milan, Vicenzo Lionetti, professor of anesthesiology at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna Institute in Pisa, and researcher from the Italian Institute of Molecular Genetics.

“Together with our fellow scientists we have devised an extremely innovative approach compared to any other treatment that is currently being done, although we are currently talking about a preliminary study. “Further important steps need to be taken to be able to develop a drug that can effectively complement existing therapies.” says Angelo Retziani and adds:

“We have invented a new way to block viral infection by acting directly on the site that the virus uses to enter cells. We have covered this ‘door’ by creating a barrier called aptamer (aptamers are molecules that contain nucleotides in their structure and have the ability to bind to a specific molecule in the body). In our case it is a DNA sequence that attaches to the part of the ACE2 receptor where the gate of the virus is located. Since all viruses need a target cell to live, if SARS-CoV-2 cannot find the door, then it is doomed to die. “We have confirmed this with in vitro studies.”

Asked about the effectiveness of this invention in mutant strains of the virus, he explains:

“The effectiveness of our aptamer will not be altered by the presence of viral mutations. “In the published study we showed that the results of our experiments show that aptamer is also effective against mutant strains of the virus.”

Regarding the development of a new drug, Angelo Retziani is clear:

“At the moment we have proven that our invention is valid when we work in a very specific experimental situation, ie in vitro. We still need work to create medicine. We would be very happy if this route would be successful, as it could represent a revolution in the elimination of infection by Covid-19, but also by other coronaviruses. However, this finding should not be confused with Covid vaccines. The medicine that can result from our invention should only be taken when someone has the disease. In two years we hope to be able to start the first human trials and based on the results we will be able to think about the next steps. With the support of suitable partners active in the pharmaceutical sector. But it is still too early to understand what the final wording will be. “Part of the job that needs to be done is to find the medical preparation that will be most appropriate.”

How optimistic are you that this discovery could put an end to Covid once and for all?

“The discovery has just been presented and I hope that in the near future pharmaceutical companies will be interested in cooperating with us. Without their support it will be very difficult to move forward and turn this innovation into medicine. It is not a treatment that directly affects the virus, but the modes of transmission. In this sense, if all goes well, our invention will become an additional tool, available to doctors, to stop the appearance of Covid-19 in humans. Ends it .

It should be noted that the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) is a center of scientific research. Its scientific headquarters are located in Genoa, while its administrative headquarters are located in Rome. Genoa also houses the Institute’s second science headquarters (the Center for Human Technology in the Erzelli Science and Technology Park), while other second-hand research centers operate in various cities (twelve in Italy and two in Boston, USA) with many universities. .

top channel