Biotron Limited (ASX: BIT)Bitron shares were the best performing...

Biotron Limited (ASX: BIT)Bitron shares were the best performing shares in the Pharma & Biotech coverage universe in September, with the share price up 134.5% for the month after the company announced that it was in the final stage of its phase-2 trials for HIV-1 and COVID-19 in a shareholder letter on 26 September 2023. The Company stated - “Biotron expects to have data from three such trials available in the very near term, which puts the Company in a very strong position. These data, if positive, will be central to successfully negotiating and completing a commercial transaction for the Company’s HIV-1 and COVID-19 clinical programs.”The Company currently has a number of different pharmaceuticals in trials. Its leading candidate is BIT225, which is a unique anti-viral drug combining different anti-viral activities to improve immunity. The two HIV-1 Phase 2 trials were designed to assess the impact of BIT225 on immune biomarkers in two groups of HIV-positive individuals. The HIV drug market is significant, estimated to be ~US$30 billion in 2021 with the market expected to grow to around US$50 billion by 2030. The drug also has further implications, with initial assessments showing that the drug has anti-viral activity against COVID-19. BIT225 reduced levels of SARS-CoV-2 in mice with treated mice not developing any signs of disease and remained healthy throughout the studies that were conducted. The market is feeling positive regarding the outcomes for the trials with the share price significantly strengthening in the days post the announcement and that momentum has continued into October. The release of the results from the trials will no doubt be a catalyst for the share price.Never miss an updateGet the latest insights from me in your inbox when they’re published.