© Virustatic.

British-led scientists say they have scientifically proven that an antiviral protein, originally developed to fight flu pandemics, is effective against the virus that causes Covid-19.

“The Viruferrin coating developed by UK biotech firm Virustatic Ltd, has been found to inhibit SARS-CoV-2, in laboratory tests conducted by independent scientists from VisMederi at the University of Siena. It creates a protective shield over human cells in the respiratory tract preventing the virus entering. In hosts that are already infected, it will stop the virus from multiplying,” Virustatic said in a press statement today.

“The discovery paves the way for new ways that Viruferrin could be used in the treatment of Covid-19 and preventing its spread.”

According to Virustatic, UK scientists are leading an international collaboration to make the protein available in an inhaler or nebulizer that will deliver the protein directly into the respiratory system. The next step is clinical trials, the company says.

The lab reports received, validate more than 10 years of pioneering work by British inventor and co-founder and technical director of Virustatic Ltd., Paul Hope, his family and a team of British scientists and virologists. Paul made it his mission to find a way to prevent deaths caused in pandemics after his own grandfather died of the Spanish Flu in 1919.

Lucy Hope, Paul’s daughter, and long-standing member of Virustatic Ltd team, said:

“Developing this ground-breaking compound has been our family’s life work. All along we’ve been confident in the compound’s abilities to stop and kill respiratory viruses such as influenza, but as of today we have the scientific proof that it is effective against the current world pandemic, Covid-19.”

“Viruferrin contains lactoferrin, a naturally-occurring protein which is an immensely important part of the human innate immune system and has decades of peer reviewed research behind it.”

“This is a huge breakthrough in the fight against the coronavirus and takes us closer to delivering a cure. It allows us to take our research to the next level in creating new products and technologies that ultimately could beat the current pandemic and prevent future outbreaks.”

Leading independent UK virologist Dr Robert Lambkin-Williams devised and oversaw the latest series of Covid-19 experiments at VisMederi. The Italian laboratory is one of the few in the world qualified to carry out the work, as it is certified to Biological Safety Level BSL3, according to Virustatic.

Dr Lambkin-Williams said: “These experiments demonstrate at the cellular level Viruferrin prevents SARS-CoV-2 infection. This undoubtedly deserves further research and development. Covid-19 is an immediate global public health crisis.”

Today’s news comes as governments around the world advise citizens to wear protective face coverings in a bid to break the lockdown that has affected billions. The economic cost of the pandemic is vast and face coverings help the world to get back to work and socially distance effectively.

The ground-breaking Viruferrin coating is already applied to Virustatic Shield face coverings which are already on sale in the UK at www.virustaticshield.com.

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