Immuron Limited (IMRN)

[davidsson10]

Immuron Ltd. said Tuesday that a component called IMM-124E that is used to manufacture the company's digestive-health supplements showed promise neutralizing the new coronavirus in laboratory tests.

The pre-clinical trials signal that the drug component could be useful in inhibiting the virus in the gastrointestinal tract, Immuron said.

The Melbourne, Australia-based company reported the results of a study in which samples of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, were placed in the presence of IMM-124E. Concentrations of IMM-124E between 40 and 160 micrograms per milliliter prevented 90% of viral replication, according to Immuron.

Inhibiting coronavirus in the gastrointestinal tract would be helpful if fecal-oral transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is prevalent, Immuron said. The company said current research on that question is inconclusive.

Immuron typically uses IMM-124E to produce Travelan and Protectyn, over-the-counter digestive supplements.