Milton Pharmaceutical Company has been awarded Innovate Funding from the Welsh Government for a significant virucidal project as part of the fight against the Covid-19 virus.
The pharmaceutical outsourcing specialist is working to develop a skin sanitiser, nasal spray and chewing gum, all of which will provide both an immediate kill of the virus together with extended protection.
The first part of the project is designed to produce a prolonged action virucidal skin sanitiser. This will ensure that hands remain virus-free over an extended period of time and thus obviate the need for constant reapplication.
Milton Pharmaceutical Company will then focus its formulation development capabilities on the creation of a similar long-lasting virucidal nasal spray for use in the control of Covid-19. Reducing the viral load entering the lungs is crucial to the prevention and treatment of the virus. If it is breathed in via the nose, a significant number will be killed by the viricide lodged in the nasal lining from the prolonged action spray. This will result in a considerable reduction in the viral load entering the airways and lungs and so lessen the severity of the symptoms of infection.
The final part of the project will be to use the same formulation strategies to develop a prolonged acting chewing gum for the killing of a substantial amount of the coronaviruses ingested via the mouth or lodged in the oesophageal cavity.
“As we are continually being reminded, Covid-19 is going to be with us for a long time,” commented Milton Pharmaceutical Company CEO Maireadh Pedersen. “Solutions that can provide treatment for the virus over an extended period both to reduce the symptoms and the risk of the spread of the infection are therefore vital to help control it and diminish its impact.
“The work we are carrying out in these three areas has great potential to allow people to carry out their day to day activities with increased personal protection. We are pleased to receive this additional financial support to help progress the project and assess its feasibility as quickly as possible for the benefit of everyone.”