Myths and Mysteries around BIT and coronavirus, page-9

Australia’s expertise, facilities, and collaborative relationships are being employed with key research being undertaken. Biotech companies joining the fight include Biotron, CSIRO, CSL, and the University of Queensland.

Biotron has a library of small molecule compounds that they are testing against the coronavirus. Biotron’s core expertise lies in the design and development of drugs that target virus-encoded proteins known as viroporins. The company’s scientists were the first to identify and publish data showing that the E protein of the coronavirus is viroporin and a good target for antiviral drugs. CSIRO’s research will help to determine the characteristics of the current virus and aims to paint a clearer picture of the new coronavirus, including how long it takes to develop and replicate, how it impacts on the respiratory system and how it can be transmitted. Coronavirus is quite different to influenza virus so whilst not a core area of focus for CSL, given the mounting public health issue, it is investigating what adjacencies in expertise, technologies and facilities it might contribute as a collaborator to the global effort. To this end, it is currently very engaged with various institutions to assess possible strategies and options. The University of Queensland is using the knowledge of the virus’ genetic sequence to rapidly generate a new vaccine. The key to the speedy development of this potential vaccine is its 'molecular clamp' technology that provides stability to the viral protein that is the primary target for our immune defence; it was invented by UQ scientists and patented by UniQuest.