Tiziana Life Sciences files patent application for potential coronavirus treatment

Tiziana Life Sciences PLC (LON:TILS)(NASDAQ:TLSA) revealed Monday it has filed a patent application for a coronavirus (COVID-19) treatment that combines nanoparticle-Actinomycin D (NP-ACT D) - which it only recently acquired the rights to - with anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody (anti-IL-6R). READ: Tiziana acquires nano-particle formulation of a drug that may help in the fight against forms of leukaemia and the coronavirus The biotech firm said patients with severe symptoms could feel “immediate relief” as the antiviral drug (NP-ACT D) stops the virus from expanding, while the anti-inflammatory agent (anti-IL-6R) suppresses a possible 'cytokine storm'. A 'cytokine storm' is an uncontrolled immune response resulting in excessive production of substances believed to be associated with severe lung damage, commonly observed in coronavirus patients. Actinomycin D (ACT D) is considered the most effective medicine needed in a health system by the World Health Organization, but when injected it can cause negative side effects. The NP-ACT D formulation could help overcome such negative side effects, the AIM-listed firm said. Studies on animals have shown minimal toxicities, but its safety on humans needs to be tested on volunteers. Tiziana pointed out that it has not concluded any clinical research on the treatment, but it is basing its theory on the underlying principles of the drugs. Shares were 20% higher on 60.25p on Monday afternoon having already been buoyed by the news, announced late on Friday, that it had acquired the slow-release version of the drug, which has previously been used to treat cancer. The nano-particle formulation Actinomycin D, or Act, was developed by Dr Kunwar Shailubhai, Tiziana’s chief executive, during his time at Rasna Therapeutics. Tiziana is handing over to Rasna an initial US$120,000 for the rights to the drug and will make additional milestone payments of up to US$630,000.