Drug firm ‘ not dented’ by failure

BRITISH scientists have vowed to continue trials of a possible Covid- 19 treatment, despite disappointing results in a global study.

Four drugs, including injected interferon beta, had little or no effect on hospitalised patients’ chances of survival, a major trial by the World Health Organization found.

But UK experts developing an inhaled form of interferon are confident of success in a large, 900- patient study.

Richard Marsden, CEO of Synairgen, said of the WHO trial: “We’re disappointed for humanity – but we don’t think it takes a dent out of what we’re doing.”

Synairgen’s drug, known as SNG001, boosts levels of a protein called interferon which helps co- ordinate the anti- viral immune response.

Lab tests have shown it can help stop replication of Covid- 19 in cells. Synairgen, which has secured £ 80million for its study, is due to begin next month.