'Major' breakthrough in Covid-19 drug makes UK professors millionaires

Synairgen ’s share price rises 540% on morning of news of successful drugs trialCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThree professors at the University of Southampton school of medicine have this week made a “major breakthrough” in the treatment of coronavirus patients and become paper millionaires at the same time.Almost two decades ago professors Ratko Djukanovic, Stephen Holgate and Donna Davies discovered that people with asthma and chronic lung diseaselacked a protein called interferon beta, which helps fight off the common cold. They worked out that patients ’ defences against viral infection could be boosted if the missing protein were replaced.Continue reading...

Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - July 24, 2020 Category: Science Authors: Rupert Neate Tags: Pharmaceuticals industry Medical research Coronavirus outbreak Business Stock markets Infectious diseases Microbiology Science World news UK news University of Southampton Higher education Source Type: news