Experimental new drug offers hope for cold cure

A long-awaited cure for the common cold may be in sight after scientists successfully stripped the virus of its armour.

Laboratory tests showed how an experimental drug stopped the rhinovirus hijacking a human protein to build the protective shell, or “capsid”.

Without the protein shield, the virus’s genetic heart of RNA is exposed and vulnerable – and the virus cannot replicate.

Because all strains of the cold virus use the same mech- anism, the research raises the possibility of a universally effective treatment.

In addition, the early tests suggest that the drug causes no harm to host cells.

Scientists hope the new molecule, code-named IMP-1088, can be administered simply using an inhaler.

As well as conquering the common cold, the drug may also work against other related viruses, including those responsible for polio and foot-and-mouth disease, say the scientists.

The findings are reported in the journal Nature Chemistry.