Arizona State University/Halberd Pursue Nasal Spray as COVID-19 Preventative/Treatment Based on Children's Natural Immunity
Monday, September 28, 2020 8:00 AM
JACKSON CENTER, PA / ACCESSWIRE / September 28, 2020 / Children are far less susceptible than adults to the Coronavirus (1, 2). Halberd Corporation's (OTC PINK:HALB) scientists have determined the reason may be that adults have far more Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors in nasal membrane epithelial cells. ACE2 (3) is a membrane protein expressed in many organs such as nasal and lung epithelial cells. Traditionally, ACE 2 has a key role in the blood pressure regulatory system. Scientific evidence (4, 5) has shown that Covid-19 virus molecules bind to ACE2 receptors to infect nasal epithelial cells, and thus spread the disease through the respiratory system.
Halberd has obtained exclusive world-wide rights to the provisional patent, "Nasal Spray To Prevent The Transmission Of Covid-19 Between Humans" by Mitchell S. Felder, MD (U.S. Application # 63080735). Halberd expanded its work with Arizona State University to address three major aspects against the Coronavirus:
A Preventative;
A Diagnostic, and
A Therapeutic Treatment.
Dr. Patricio Reyes, Chief Technical Officer of Halberd Corporation, stated, "All three of these applications against coronavirus stem from our same antibodies currently being developed to block the biding of the COVID-19 molecules to ACE2 receptors. Much of the work will be in tandem; therefore, the addition of a nasal spray should not significantly adversely affect our original timetable."
Halberd discussed its nasal spray concept with Dr. Qiang Chen of ASU and provided industry information regarding ACE2 receptor modulation. Based on this information, ASU concluded that the neutralizing antibody/antibody cocktails used to formulate nasal spray-based prophylactics would not alter ACE2 expression systemically. The approach is not to eradicate the ACE2 receptors which provide the body with important functions, but instead seek to harmlessly neutralize some of its coronavirus supportive actions. Thus, there are no anticipated side-effects related to ACE2 modulation.
William A. Hartman, Halberd Corporation Chairman, President & CEO, stated, "Unlike other companies working on aspects of coronavirus diagnostics, vaccines and/or treatments, ASU/Halberd are pursuing all of the following:
A possible alternative to vaccines in the form of a convenient, self-administered nasal spray which could be a possible preventative as well as a treatment against the coronavirus;
An accurate diagnostic test that would be based only on sampling saliva or a drop of blood and provide results in a matter of minutes;
A treatment for those afflicted by coronavirus with therapeutics being applied extracorporeally to eliminate and/or significantly reduce dangerous side-effects associated with internally administered medications.
In order to expedite the availability of Halberd's technology products in the market, Halberd stands ready to immediately initiate testing in South America. Inquiries are welcomed from potential pharmaceutical development and production-capable partners."
