Synairgen: against COVID-19 ^Company

Entity: Synairgen

Category: Treatment Development

Description: Synairgen is a drug discovery and development company founded by University of Southampton Professors Stephen Holgate, Donna Davies and Ratko Djukanovic and focused on advancing novel approaches for severe respiratory conditions. The business, focused primarily on severe asthma and COPD, uses its differentiating human biology BioBank platform and world-renowned international academic Key Opinion Leader network to discover and develop novel therapies for respiratory disease. Leveraging its scientific and clinical facilities at Southampton General Hospital, the company uses in vitro and ex vivo models to progress opportunities into clinical development. The BioBank of human samples is used in these models to increase confidence in the likelihood of successful drug development. Core to Synairgen’s business strategy is the realisation of value via licensing transactions – as demonstrated through the out-licensing of SNG001 to AstraZeneca in 2014.

Project: SNG001.

Summary: Synairgen Research’s SNG001, an inhaled drug, is planned to be tested by the University of Southampton to treat asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lower respiratory tract illnesses caused by coronavirus. SNG001 is a formulation of naturally occurring Interferon-β, which is administered through a nebuliser and is delivered directly to the lungs to reduce the severity of the infection caused by coronavirus.