Positive study results for new patented natural antiviral substance
Recent tests on human cells show that SCN’s patented substance NGNA/N5G has good antiviral effect on several viruses that affect humans, especially the rhinovirus, which is the most common cause for cold symptoms. The substance also has a strong protective effect against severe complications from the influenza virus.
In 2007, Scandinavian Clinical Nutrition AB (SCN) secured the world-wide rights to NGNA/N5G (N-glycolylneuraminic acid), a natural biomarine antiviral substance with many promising indications. Since then, the substance has been incorporated into SCN’s R&D program, and now the first study results have come.
Recent tests on human cells, carried out for SCN by a leading European virology contract research organization, Retroscreen Virology, have confirmed that the substance is not only non-toxic, but has a good antiviral effect on several strains of viruses that cause diseases. This effect is particularly strong on rhinovirus, the virus causing most common cold symptoms like sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, muscle pain and tiredness, which affect millions of people every year.
The efficacy of the substance has also been tested in vivo against the H1N1 influenza virus (similar to the H5N1 bird flu virus) in an animal study at Louisiana State University (LSU), USA. The study shows that NGNA alleviates both clinical symptoms and more severe complications of the aggressive virus infection. For example, the most important feature of the infection (lung tissue damage) is reduced by over 50%.
In summary, these two proof-of-concept studies indicate that NGNA can limit effects of a viral infection both directly and through ingestion, thereby demonstrating its potential use in products such as hand sanitizers and nasal sprays as well as in dietary supplements.
“With these exciting results, SCN has a strong incentive to continue with further exploratory R&D work with NGNA, along with other compounds in our pipeline within the field of viral diseases. The results also fit with our objective to reinforce health through nutrition by developing efficient and safe nutraceuticals”, says Dr. Dan Edwall, VP R&D at SCN.
SCN will continue developing NGNA within the subsidiary Scandivir AB, and will also expand upon the worldwide patent rights to the substance for use against a number of viral infections, including the obesity virus Ad-36, as well as for treatment against colds and flus.